INTUC national vice president and State unit president and former MP Dr Rama Chandra Khuntia has demanded that all unemployed displaced workers be given Rs 10,000 immediately and Rs 7,500 per month and Rs 7,500 as financial assistance during the lockdown period.
He also demanded that the decision of the State Government to adjust train or bus fare given to repatriate the migrant workers from the sum paid to them after quarantine be withdrawn and the transportation of the workers be made free.
Khuntia also protested the use of machine for MGNREGA work in most districts, especially in Jajpur, Kendrapada, Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur.
Inspite of the written instruction of Central Government and State Government for not cutting salary of workers during lockdown, many private industries are not paying the wages, said Khuntia, citing the case in Nilachal, Maithan, Mesco and VISA in Duburi in Jajpur. He also opposed the 4 labourers codes in UP, MP and Gujarat, which have begun an anti-labour regime.
The Odisha Government has given Rs 1, 500 to all 22 lakhs construction workers but only 14 lakhs workers have got it. 7 lakhs of construction workers have been deprived of the sop, he alleged. The INTUC also demanded implementation of thr Interstate Migrant Labour Act 1979.