TN: NLC contract workers call off strike

Chennai, July 19: Contract labourers of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) called off their strike after an agreement on wage increase was reached here last night.

According to All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) District Secretary M Sekhar, the management agreed for an upward revision in wages to Rs 19.23 a day for about 13,000 contract labourers with retrospective effect.

The management would pay the arrears for the last three and a half years with each worker receiving over Rs 20,000, entailing financial commitment of Rs 31 crore to the management.

Besides, the meeting headed by NLC Deputy General Manager Muthu also agreed to provide free medical treatment to employees and pay the salaries through bank on or before the seventh of every month.

''The management also agreed to consider other demands such as payment of bonus during the course of time,'' M Sekhar said.

The contract labourers, who were on strike since Monday, also observed a fast yesterday in support of their ten-point charter of demands.

UNI