Munnar strikers chase away MLA S Rajendran
Kanan Devan board meet tomorrow as tourists and others stuck in hill station
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2015-09-12 04:32 GMT
KOTTAYAM: The plantation workers of Munnar, who have been on an agitation for the last six days demanding higher bonus and wages, chased away Devikulam MLA S. Rajendran, who visited the spot on Friday, angered over his stand towards their grievances.
Later in the day, the CPM announced that Rajendan will begin an indefinite strike in Munnar from Saturday in support of the ongoing strike.
The 12,000 employees, including 5,000 women, who are blocking the Kochi-Dhanushkody national highway, also rejected the district collector’s appeal to end the blockade to facilitate talks.
Many tourists, including foreign, have been stranded in Munnar for many days. The employees are demanding an increase in daily wages from Rs 280 to Rs 500 and bonus from 10 per cent to 20.
However, Kanan Devan Hills and Plantations Private Limited said in a press release that any further changes in the salary and bonus can be decided only after the meeting of the management board to be held on Sunday.
“The company is legally bound to give 8.33 per cent of the salary as bonus. However, we are now giving 10 per cent. Any further change in that can be decided only after convening the board meeting,” company managing director Abraham Mathew said.
District collector S. Ratheeshan told DC that the government had been informed of the demands of the employees.
“The stand of the tea company authorities will be crucial in the coming days. So far, they have not accepted the employees’ demands,” Mr Ratheeshan said.
Peerumedu MLA E.S. Bijimol is also sitting on the road along with the strikers. “The demands of the employees are just,” she said addressing the workers. The police is keeping a vigil fearing an eruption of violence over the issue. “We will not forcibly remove the employees. We are well-equipped to deal with any situation,” Idukki district police chief K.V. Joseph told DC.