ODAMS threatens hunger strike against BSNL on January 17

Bhubaneswar-:10/1(visakeo) Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangha backed Orissa Doorsanchar Asthai Mazdoor Sangh on Wednesday threatened to launch an indefinite strike against the step-motherly attitude of the BSNL authorities towards the casual workers. Sangha in a letter to Chief General Manager Telecom (BSNL), Bhubaneswar stated that despite the approval of BSNL Headquarters in 2003, 455 casual workers still waiting regularization of job and if the authorities would not take proper steps, all the casual workers will launch an indefinite hunger strike from January 17. Sangha president Krushna Chandra Rout said casual workers have been repeatedly downplayed and frustration mounting among them due to the delay in issuing of necessary appointment orders because of faulty recruitment policy adopted by the then management. He alleged that a list of about 800 fresh casual workers submitted by the service union in the Department Council meeting has been preceded by the circle administration whereas the regularization process of the 455 workers is being delayed.  He said that erstwhile NDA Government had cleared the appointments of 274 out of 544 waitlisted workers but not a single worker has been appointed even after 27 months passed. Government Gazette had also notified the appointment of 274 workers but BSNL authorities here not taking up the issue seriously, he said adding casual workers would launch an indefinite hunger strike against BSNL authorities on January 17. Sangha secretary Banamali Routray said that BSNL was violating labour laws by not appointing the casual workers on regular basis even after clearance from Headquarters. Sangha also submitted memorandums to Union Communication Minister, BSNL Chairman, All MPs of Orissa, Regional Labour Commissioner and ADG (Personal) urging their personal intervention, he said.