AAPWU rejects 'Golden Handshake' policy

Itanagar, June 14 (UNI) The All Arunachal Pradesh Workers' Union (AAPWU) has rejected the 'Golden Handshake' policy offer mooted by the state government to reduce excess labourers saying it would not solve the problem.

The Cabinet had recently approved the policy to reduce the huge financial burden of around Rs 107 crore annually in payment of wages to over 30,000 labourers, which sparked protests among the working class.

Taking strong exception to the policy, AAPWU president Jalley Sonam and its general secretary Kenkar Yomcha said the union had opposed the high-powered committee's recommendation for an exgratia payment of Rs 1,000 for every completed year or part thereof exceeding eight months. In a memorandum to PWD Minister Nabam Tuki on May 28 they demanded lumpsum old age benefit of Rs 50,000 to those incapacitated due to old age instead of forcibly terminating their services.

However, on June 9 the minister informed at a press conference that the labourers with less than 15 years' service would be paid 15 days salary for each completed year besides compensation of Rs 2000 for the year (against committee's recommendation of Rs 1000).

Service of those above 15 years would be guided by the High Court order and statutory rules.

On Tuki's disclosure that the committee had held discussion with the labourers' union and elicited suggestions, both AAPWU leaders denied it saying they were not a party to the policy decision as their suggestions were not taken into consideration.

In its efforts to assess the status of bogus, unproductive and productive labourers throughout the state, the union had completed survey in Lower and Upper Subansiri, West and Upper Siang, Lohit and Changlang districts as per the government's order of October 5, 2006.

Moreover, a list of around a few thousand workers, including some with over 15 years of service, willing to go on voluntary retirement was also prepared, they claimed.

The visible solution to the problem drifted away with the announcement of the decision before completion of ongoing assessment of workers' status and without due consultation with the union, Mr Sonam commented.

Instead of implementing the recommendation of revised minimum wages recommended by the labour department, the lowering of the rate since August 15, 2006 by the state government had agitated the poor labourers, they pointed out adding that the wage fixation for 26 days excluding Sundays was an injustice, which they had represented to the labour minister on May 28.

With tension brewing among the poor workers, the backbone of state's development, the AAPWU had proposed a massive gathering here on June 17 to register protest against the cabinet decision.

UNI