Bhilai, Sep 24: Following the deaths of BSP employees due to Coronavirus infection, the Trade Unions active in the Steel City have demanded elaborate arrangements for preventing the spread of infection and have also demanded proper compensation including regular job to one of the dependants of the employees those who succumbed to Covid-19.
Bhilai Shramik Sabha (HMS) General Secretary informed that the trade unions affiliated to ten central trade unions participated in the nationwide protests. In the view of increasing threat of Corona Virus Infection, any joint demonstration was not held but the trade unions staged token protests near their offices. Later, a memorandum addressed to the SAIL Chairman was submitted at the office of Industrial Relations Department of BSP. Trade unions including AITUC, HMS, CITU and AICCTU and others participated in the protests.
In the memorandum, the trade unions expressed concern over the death of employees due to Covid-19 and stated that this pandemic is claiming more lives than the industrial mishaps. They demanded a minimum compensation of Rs 50 lakhs for the families of the employees those who succumbed to Covid-19. They also demanded relaxation in compensatory appointment rules and provide the benefits in cases of death due to Covid-19. Apart from national issues and Covid-19, demands related to wage revision, festive bonus, etc were also raised.
Union leaders stated that there are many discrepancies in the circular issued by the SAIL management. On the one hand there is an agreement of the NJCS which has a provision to give compassionate appointment in case of accidental death of an employee at the workplace; on the other hand, SAIL management had issued a circular imposing several conditions. Due to such provisions, several bereaved families are unable to get the benefits of this scheme. The union leaders further informed that there are different rules in the two units of SAIL itself. Bokaro Steel Plant has a provision for compassionate appointment in case of death at the workplace of an employee or death after reaching the hospital.
