BMS unmoved, Muttom yard work yet to resume

Kochi: The metro work at the Muttom coach maintenance depot continued to be disrupted for three days in a row, with leaders of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) on Sunday saying that they would n’t allow the construction activities to resume unless they be given a share of the works there.

This even-as the district collector is yet to convene a joint meet of the metro authorities and the various labour unions.

“The collector had promised to convene a meet the other day but we’re yet to get any intimation from him. We’ve submitted a memorandum to the DMRC, Assistant Labour Commissioner and the Aluva SP that our protest will go on unless we’re also given work share like that provided to other unions,” said K S Anil Kumar, Secretary, District Nirmana Thozhilali Sangham, an affiliation of the BMS.

Meanwhile sources said the DMRC has asked all concerned authorities including the district collector and the KMRL MD Elias George to intervene in the issue for a quick solution. “We’ve informed them that we can’t spare a single day now. We’re walking through a tight rope to stick to the project deadline,” an official said.

“The other unions CITU and INTUC are not ready to accommodate us, thus violating the agreement with contractor Shila Constructions. We only ask to give a share of the work to our workers too, which is a democratic right,” said Anil Kumar. Each triboard engaged in piling works has six workers, three each from the CITU and the INTUC, the unions which oppose including BMS.