The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Minister to meet TU leaders of Indal

IN a bid to end the strike demanding hike in wages by the workers of the Indal's extrusion plant at nearby Alupuram, which has entered the fourth month, the State Labour Minister, Mr Babu Divakaran, is to hold another round of talks with the trade unions and the management on October 20.

Mr Divakaran and the Minister for Electricity, Mr Aryadan Muhammed, who was also the leader of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) wing in the company till his induction in the Cabinet recently, would participate in the discussions, Mr T.N. Gopinath, Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) leader told Business Line on Friday.

The conciliation meeting held last month with the trade unions and the management failed to reach an agreement on the long-term wage settlement even after two days of discussions as both the trade unions and the management stuck to their respective stand.

At an earlier meeting to end the strike through compromise convened by the Minister, the management had taken a reasonable stand, while the unions were not ready for any compromise.

The Minister had, therefore, asked both the parties to "give him a mandate jointly for settling the issue." Now the trade unions are expected to take a positive stand on the Minister's demand, he said.

Meanwhile, an INTUC leader said that during the last agreement about five years ago the company had agreed for a wage hike of Rs 1,975. Since then, 52 employees had retired. Notwithstanding, the company's production had gone up enabling it to make good profits.

Given this situation there should be a hike higher than that was given in the previous agreement. The previous long-term agreement expired two years ago. Hundred and fifty-five workers of the extrusion plant were on strike from July 1 last.

More Stories on : Trade & Labour Unions | Aluminium | Kerala

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