Increase in CCP workers wages from `221 to `490

More than 300 daily wage workers working with the Corporation of the City of Panjim formed their selfstyled trade union, which was headed by its President Ajitsingh Rane. The union came into existence to propagate certain demands which were long pending. Demands such as an increase in daily wage from Rs. 221/- to Rs. 490/-, regularisation of senior and eligible workers, re-instatement of 􀏐ive workers who were terminated, timely payment of salary on or before 5th of every month and provision of safety measures to the workmen. However, when the union 􀏐irst submitted their memorandum requesting to satisfy their demands, certain claims by the union were resolved by the authorities, while remaining demands were under negotiations. However when the demands were not put in place by the authorities, the self styled trade union leader announced a strike by stopping the collection of garbage in the capital city last in December last year; leaving the city worried about accumulated garbage. Finally paralysing the garbage collection for eight days, the strike was called off after a promise made by the Deputy Chief Minister and Municipal In charge, Francis D’souza to increase salary to Rs. 409/-. After six months, the union once again came into the picture, as their demand for a hike in wages and regularisation of workers was not ful􀏐illed. This time the matter was dragged for 58 days by Rane. The union was 􀏐irm with their demands. Meanwhile the CCP noted that they were 􀏐inancially helpless. The concluding days turned out very ugly and aggressive, which evoked ESMA for the workers. In the meantime, the state government hiked the minimum wage from Rs. 221/- to Rs. 323/-, which was also applicable to CCP workers. CCP agreed to pay the minimum amount sanctioned by the government, but Rane was stubborn with his demand. Meanwhile, he added another demand to the list; ‘grant salary of eight days of strike’ held in December. However this matter was raised in the Labour Commission, which directed seven suggestions. Finally on 9th July, after a 7 hour long meeting which ended at midnight, both the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which resolved to pay the workers Rs. 323 – which was made minimum wage by the state government, regularise the workers as the posts were vacant and balance the eight days striking salary with leaves. None of the major demands by the union headed by Rane were ful􀏐illed and yet he agreed to sign the MoU. It looked like months of agitations and protests by the workers, resulted in nothing but a waste of energy, as increase in wages was by government which was accepted by CCP, but not by union leader. Regularisation of all the workers was not accepted by CCP. They assured to regularise when posts were vacant and the workers were not entitled to additional salary of eight days of strike, as it was adjusted with leaves.