RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Dec.9: BHEL Chairman Dr. Nalin Singhal, who has been assigned the additional charge of HEC, landed today in Ranchi from New Delhi. He arrived here to end the workers’ strike which has been going on for last eight days for demand of due salary of seven months.
He reached the HEC headquarters in Dhurwa from the airport and met with the representative of labour unions. The first round of meeting started at 1pm and ended at 3pm. During the meeting, Singhal requested the union leaders to extend their co-operation to end the strike saying that the company is passing through a tough phase.
Negotiating with the trade union leader, Singhal agreed to take care of the canteen allowance and school fee of the employees but the union leaders stuck to their demands of salary payment. They were of the opinion that the workers should be paid one month current and one month due salary but till the end of first round CMD Singhal did not agree.
Hatia Mazdoor Union’s President Bhuwan Singh confirmed the development saying he will be able to share proper details in the matter after the end of the second round of meeting which is scheduled in evening.
“We want a roadmap of payment but the CMD so far has failed to give the same. We told him that the workers have already sacrificed much and are ready to give their full cooperation but it is difficult for them to compromise with their wages, which is required for their survival. Until some modality of payment is not decided, strike will continue,” Singh said.
He, however, indicated that the talk is going on in a positive atmosphere.
