The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Odisha State branch, will continue to fight for the interests of the 1.5 crore unorganized workers in the State.
“About 1.5 crore workers are now working in unorganized sector in Odisha. They are yet to get proper social security and health facility. The INTUC will keep up fighting till all the unorganized workers get these facilities,” INTUC, Odisha Branch president Dr Ramchandra Khuntia said at the INTUC State-level convention held at Angul recently. Dr Khuntia was elected as the president of the INTUC, Odisha Branch for the 9 th consecutive time.
Inaugurating the convention, INTUC national president Dr G Sanjeev Reddy said the INTUC would oppose the Narendra Modi Government’s proposal to amend the labour Act. The amendment is aimed at protecting interest of industrialists and owners at the cost of workers,” alleged Reddy. He demanded that contractual workers be paid salary and other facilities equal to regular workers’.
Attending as chief quest, PCC president Prasad Harichandan alleged that many people are migrating to other States in search of works due to neglect of the State Government. He slammed the State Government stating that it has so far paid Rs 50 crore to construction workers while Rs 800 crore has been collected for their welfare fund.
Opposition leader in the State Assembly Narasingha Mishra called upon the INTUC to work towards lessening the financial gap between the rich and the poor.
Among others, trade union leaders like Kishore Patel, Bidyadhar Barik, Souribandhu Kar, Jayasen Meher, Ramesh Jena,
Harish Gourang, Sandhya Mohapatra and Muna Khan were present.