Port workers begin two-day hunger strike in Thoothukudi
The Hindu
Port workers on hunger strike demand new salary agreement, pension scheme, regularisation of services, and free medical treatment.
A two-day hunger strike by port workers affiliated to CITU began here on Thursday.
The protestors said the Ministry of Shipping and Ports should create without further delay the new salary agreement which should be implemented from January 1, 2022 while the Cabinet should give its nod for the bonus agreement. The old pension scheme should be reintroduced. Vacancies should be filled up by recruiting permanent employees as outsourcing of the port operations and works has only resulted in corruption and ruined the quality.
Services of port canteen workers with 30 years of service should be regularised. Outsourcing of medical treatment to port workers should be abolished and free medical treatment to all port workers ensured. Similar facility should be extended to pensioners also.
President of CITU Port Democratic Employees Union S. Balakrishnan presided over the agitation which was inaugurated by R. Russel, secretary, CITU. Office-bearers of the union - K. Kasi, P. Sivanakaran, M. Muniyasamy and S. Appadurai addressed the protestors.
Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sought a report from the State government on a complaint that the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) had taken up works amounting to ₹387 crore in violation of rules in Varuna and Srirangapatna Assembly constituencies, allegedly on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s oral instructions.
“We are organising a health research convention, which comprises a couple of workshops, community-based learning, and also cardiac care. We also included a one-day seminar on medical education, how medical education has evolved in India and the U.K., and what we can learn from each other” said Dr. Piruthivi Sukumar Dean of the International Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Leeds during his interaction with The Hindu.