Hyderabad: Minister for Energy and Mines Dr. G. Vivek Venkataswamy assured Sirpur Paper Mill workers’ unions that the government would initiate their election process.
The Minister held a meeting with representatives of the workers’ unions at the Secretariat on Wednesday. Congress MLC Dande Vithal and BJP MLA Palvai Harish Babu attended the meeting.
Leaders from 10 workers’ unions also participated in the discussions. They raised issues concerning union elections, legal matters and worker welfare.
During the meeting, Vivek Venkataswamy assured the representatives that the government would initiate the process for conducting workers’ union elections.
“The process for conducting elections for the workers’ unions will be initiated,” the Minister said.
He also addressed pending legal matters concerning the paper mill workers. The Minister said the government would seek to resolve those issues through effective legal arguments.
“The government will take steps to resolve pending issues by effectively arguing the case regarding the paper mill workers’ legal matters through the Advocate General,” he said.
The Minister also directed officials to act on alleged violations of canteen establishment norms. He asked the Director of Factories to issue a notice under the Factories Act.
Sirpur Paper Mill workers seek welfare measures
The unions also submitted a representation concerning an ESI hospital in Sirpur. Vivek Venkataswamy said he would examine their request and take necessary action.
“I will examine the representation submitted by the unions concerning the establishment of an ESI hospital in Sirpur and take necessary action,” he said.
The Minister also agreed to consider a proposal for setting up an ATC in Sirpur. He said the proposal would receive consideration as part of the government’s response to the workers’ concerns.
Land belonging to the Labour Welfare Centre also came up during the meeting. Vivek Venkataswamy directed officials to remove encroachments from the property.
He further instructed officials to install fencing around the land. The measure aims to prevent further encroachments on the Labour Welfare Centre property.
The Minister said the government would address the workers’ concerns in phases. He assured the union representatives that officials would take steps on the issues raised during the meeting.
“The government will take measures to resolve the workers’ issues in a phased manner,” the Minister said.
