KalingaTV News Network
Rayagada: Putting an end to the 18-day long stalemate at Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) plant over worker unrest at Therubali in the district, the agitators have agreed to end the stir today. The assurance on the part of the strikers came after a tripartite meeting which was held between company officials, district administration and a group of agitators yesterday.
The meeting which started at around 8 PM last evening and was convened at the office of Rayagada Collector Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar in the presence of SP Rahul PR, IMFA officials and a group of 25 agitators, discussed upon all 14 demands of the protestors. While a majority of demands were accepted by the IMFA authorities the agitators assured to end their stir at around 10 AM in the morning today.
“Discussion on all demands of the agitators have been held in a positive manner. Company would definitely implement those demands on which it has reached an agreement with the agitators. We would thank the district Collector and SP for their cooperation in making this meeting a success,” said KV Rao, Senior General Manager (Manufacturing), IMFA while speaking to Kalinga TV on the side lines of the meeting.
“Out of our nine major demands, the company authorities have accepted 4-5 during the meeting. However, we failed to reach an agreement on the demand of engagement of more local unemployed youths in the plant. Demands pertaining to education, land issues, drinking water facility, peripheral area development of the plant, rest room for women workers, fixation of minimum wage, EPF, gratuity and bonus have been met by the company. We would end our stir at 10 AM on Friday,” said Jitu Jakasika, the leader of the protestors.
The workers of the Therubali plant along with the locals were on a protest since April 24 which was adversely affecting the production of the company and by that causing huge monetary loss to it.
Ms Kalinga