The Mangaldai branch of Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) has vehemently opposed the decision of the State Cabinet to increase the working hours from eight to 12 hours terming it ‘anti -labour’.
ACMS Mangaldai branch secretary, Santiuse Kujur said, “Such arbitrary decision of the government tantamounts to violation of the rights of the labourers if the tea gardens who are already plagued by multiple issues of wage, health, education.”
Referring on increase of working hours through amendment of Labour Law in Cabinet meeting held on May 8, Kujur said “we condemn such decision which is detrimental to the cause of workers let the government come up with other plan to revive the economy and not hound the workers of the tea gardens”.
Kujur also exhorted the government to roll back and reconsider the decision in the greater interest of the labourers.
“If Government fails to take any step for its withdrawal soon, there is no option left to labourers of the State except to launch massive protests and lockdown in days to come.”
Pertinently the Assam Cabinet on Friday followed other BJP-ruled states in approving labour reforms to boost the economy at a time when economic activities have come to a grinding halt due to the lockdown.
The measures in the labour reforms includes introduction of fixed-term employment and increase in shift duty of workers from eight to 12 hours.