Oil refinery workers in Orissa fight for their rights

Thousands of oil refinery workers organized under the banner of Maa Baidehee Oil Refinery Worker’s Union carried out mass rally and demonstration in Paradip, Orissa, on January 14, 2011 in support of their charter of demands.

According to union representatives, their main demands are that the Refinery

Thousands of oil refinery workers organized under the banner of Maa Baidehee Oil Refinery Worker’s Union carried out mass rally and demonstration in Paradip, Orissa, on January 14, 2011 in support of their charter of demands.

According to union representatives, their main demands are that the Refinery

(1) must provide employment to the displaced families, who have lost their land, on a priority basis

(2) employ women up to 50% and ensure crèches for children of women workers,

(3) must take legal action against construction agencies & contractors who are paying less wages to workers and torturing them,

(4)  provide security measures, dress, shoes and drinking water, rest shed and identity cards to labourers ,

(5) give ITI training, diploma and vocational training to unemployed youths of displaced families to get employment opportunity in refinery project,

(6) insure the life of labourers with ESI & provident fund facilities and to issue certificates for the amounts deducted from their dues.

The Workers are also demanding an 8-hour day, and health care as they are suffering from various diseases contracted because of their occupation. Furthermore, workers are demanding canteen facilities as well as residential quarters. The workers have submitted their charter to the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Orissa Chief Minister, as well as to the IOCL Refinery Project officials. In their charter, they have pointed out how the youth and people of the project displaced areas have suffered as a result of displacement, and demanded that immediate measures be taken to ensure livelihood for these people.

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