The AJSU party has extended support to the ongoing agitation of contract workers under the HEC Supply Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti, issuing a stern warning to the management of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) to resolve their demands without delay.
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The AJSU party has extended support to the ongoing agitation of contract workers under the HEC Supply Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti, issuing a stern warning to the management of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) to resolve their demands without delay. The protest entered its 17th day on Thursday.
Responding to an invitation from the protesting workers, AJSU’s chief spokesperson Dr Deo Sharan Bhagat and veteran Jharkhand movement activist Praveen Prabhakar participated in the demonstration at HEC headquarters and expressed solidarity with the workers.
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Addressing the gathering, Dr Bhagat criticised the HEC management’s recent decision to hire around 1,400 contract workers through an outsourcing agency. “The management must not attempt to exploit supply workers under the pretext of outsourcing,” he said.
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Echoing similar concerns, Praveen Prabhakar stated that AJSU would not allow the rights of local contract workers to be taken away.
“The outsourcing model is being used to exploit Jharkhandi labourers. The struggle for a separate Jharkhand was meant to ensure justice for the poor and working class. The rehabilitation of displaced workers is central to HEC’s revival. If necessary, the issue will be raised with the Central Government,” he added.
The protest march began from Nehru Park and culminated at the HEC headquarters, where hundreds of workers held a sit-in demonstration and public meeting.
Dilip Singh, who chaired the meeting, alleged that workers with 25 years of service were now being sidelined in favour of outsourced labour. “Not a single worker has agreed to fill out the outsourcing forms. Until the old arrangement is reinstated and pending wages for four months are paid, the agitation will continue,” he said.
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