SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 13: Rashtriya Khan Mazdoor Federation, the frontal organization of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) in the coal industry, has written to Coal India Limited (CIL) management for early payment of bonus to miners so that they can celebrate Durga Puja festival.
Federation’s senior vice-president AK Jha today shot off a letter to CIL chairman and director personnel (DP) saying that Durga Puja, which is scheduled to start on September 26, is a major festival of Hindus. Since the monthly salary will not be paid before October 1, ensure bonus payment to the 2.98 lakh regular, contractual as well as outsourced miners before September 25.
“Whatever bonus amount you (CIL management ) have decided, pay it to the miners before starting of the festival as the late decision would strand the payment due to closure of banks,” the Federation said in its letter.
Notably, the CIL management has called a meeting on September 27 in Kolkata to decide on the bonus fixation. CIL director personnel has invited all four nationally recognized trade unions including Bhartiya Majdoor Sangh (BMS) Central Industrial Trade Union (CITU), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Hind Mazdoor Sangh (HMS) for the meeting but INTUC of Congress has not been invited. Sources said this is due to factional feuds and cases in court.
Federation’s vice-president has also pointed out the problem being faced by the retired employees in reimbursement of the amount from the company after treatment in listed hospitals.
“CIL management claims and advertises that employees are being given cashless treatment facilities at empanelled hospitals at par with officers but in reality, employees have to make rounds of office for reimbursement of the amount after treatment. So, kindly ensure smooth payment of treatment costs to retired employees,” he said.
