The Building and Wood Workers Federation opposed the pollution and exploitation of worker in cement industries. It alleged that pollution and labour exploitation is severe in cement industries in Asia and the Pacific region.
Since multinational cement companies are coming together to consolidate their operation by merger and takeover, time is ripe for all cement workers unions to come together united and collectively fight any attempt to undermine the trade unions and workers rights across the Asia Pacific Region, said former Rajya Sabha MP and BWI vice chair and chairman BWI Migrant Workers Group Dr RC Khuntia. He was addressing the Asia Pacific Trade Union meet virtually arranged by the BWI.
“We are passing through a tough phase as economies across the region continue to grapple with Covid-19 and its socio-economic impact resulting in loss of lives and livelihoods. In the cement sector too, new challenges emerged for the unions especially, the contractual and outsourced workers as they bore the brunt of the health crisis as workers have been confronted with job loss, wage cuts and also lack of adequate security cover,” said Khuntia.
He further said, “As unions, we have to ensure that rights of workers whether regular or contractual are upheld and any form of discriminatory practice is not accepted.”
Apart from labour issues, another important concern in the industries creating worries is environmental degradation and climate change. “As trade onions, we need to further our engagement and work with the companies to promote environment- friendly and sustainable solutions through green and clean practices,” he said.
The meeting unanimously passed a resolution urging all national Governments, including Government of India, to make law for ensuring health and safety and total security a fundamental right for all citizen.
Regional Representative of BWI Apoliner Tolentino, BWI Police Officer Dr Rajeev Sharma, Prerna Prasad, Sakshi Aggarwal besides leaders from 37 trade unions in cement industries of India, Indonesia, Philippines and Cambodia participated in the virtual meeting.