CHENNAI: Tension prevailed on Friday as the sit-in agitation by 11 transport unions turned into a violent protest by the workers in the evening. The demands put forth by the unions included clearing retirement benefit dues, provident fund dues and sanctioning salaries equivalent to other state government departments.
Transport minister M.R. Vijayabhaskar who met the unions in the afternoon announced an interim relief of Rs 1,200 per employee and said the further discussions would be held on December 28 and 29, said sources.
“As many as 1,43,000 transport workers from unions like Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) and Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) took part in the protest, demanding to clear the dues that nearly amount to '7,500 crore,” said K. Natarajan, treasurer, LPF.
He further added that the retirement benefits of nearly Rs 1,600 crore have not been cleared yet and the provident funds and LIC money to be paid to the to the concerned organisations is due, despite the amount being deducted from employees’ salaries, every month. According to sources, officials from the transport department approached the unions on December 13 and requested the unions to stop the agitation due to the RK Nagar bypoll. However, as nothing materialised even after assurances from the department for over 10 times, the workers decided to go ahead with the protest. Though the union leaders withdrew the protest, a few workers hinted that this would be an indefinite strike till an action is taken.
Due to this, at least 50 per cent of the buses in the city might be off the roads. The MTC had deployed retired employees and mechanics anticipating low attendance. A similar protest was planned by the unions January this year, ahead of Pongal which was called off after the department officials have cleared Rs.1,250 crore due and assured that the rest of the amount would be dispatched soon.
