A large number of workers under the banner of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) held a protest near HP Secretariat Shimla on Monday demanding restoration of benefits given to workers by the State Labour Welfare Board.
The workers affiliated to MGNREGA and Construction Workers Unions carrying banners and flags marched to HP Secretariat and sat on dharna and raised slogans against the state government after being stopped by police near the Secretariat.
Addressing a rally state president of the Federation Joginder Kumar and General Secretary Bhupendra Singh said, “Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu led Congress government a day after taking oath issued a notification on December 12, 2022 stopping various benefits to workers being given through through HP Construction Workers Welfare Board (HPCWWB), besides stopping registration and renewal of construction workers under the board using an illegal notification, rendering functioning of the board defunct.”
National Secretary of CITU Dr. Kashmir Singh Thakur said,” During the last ten years maximum of 75000 workers alone from Hamirpur district have been registered under the welfare board but Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government despite the CM hailing from Hamirpur district have stopped giving benefits to workers .”
He said, “The workers have contributed significantly in bringing Congress back to power in the state and warned the Congress would have to face consequences in the coming Lok Sabha election.”
President of CITU Vijender Mehra said, “The union leaders also met Labour Minister Dr Dhani Ram Shandil, who has assured them to convene a meeting of the Welfare Board and asked the expert committee to place legal position on the issues raised by the Labour Unions”.
Several CITU leaders including CITU General Secretary Prem Gautam also addressed the gathering.