GANGTOK, August 12: The hopes for justice and rights of the thee hundred odd employees, both casual and regularized, of Wai Wai factory at Rangpo are a restoration path thanks to the well intentioned intervention of the Sikkim Democratic Labour Front, a frontal organization of the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF).The confidence of the employees stems from the visit of the SDF labour front members who today cornered the management of the factory and gave deadlines to the factory to fulfill the justified demands of the employees on labour issues as per the guidelines and orders issued by the State government.
During the meeting with the management in presence of the aggrieved employees, the SDF labour front demanded the Wai Wai factory general manager Khadka Poudyal to fufill the demands made by the labourers regarding wages, overtime money and other issues.
Led by party publicity secretary Krishna Khadka, the labour front team demanded the factory management to give preference to locals in employment and also asserted that minimum daily wages slab fixed by the State government for labourers should be implemented in totality. The team also said that there should be proper drinking water and toilet management for the labourers in the factory and minimum payment of Rs. 25 per hour for overtime. The team also gave a deadline of 3 months to the management to show EPF statements to the employees of Wai Wai factory.
The factory management has assured to look into the issues raised by employees and SDF labour front.
During the meeting, the labourers expressed their grievances and feelings of being suppressed and exploited.
It may be added here that the SDF labour team is presently touring different industrial units in the State and will be preparing a final report in due course of time.
