Demonstration by Delhi Metro Workers against the labour laws violation by the DMRC and JMD consultants, effigy burning of Mangu Singh.

June 11, 2012 New Delhi. Hundreds of Delhi Metro Workers gathered at Jantar-Mantar today to protest against the serious and open violation of labour laws by DMRC and JMD Consultants under the banner of Delhi Metro Kamgar Union (DMKU). It must be well remembered that last year too Delhi Metro workers held a large demonstration against the labour laws violation by DMRC and various Contract companies. This demonstration created a great pressure on DMRC and it was compelled to take cognizance of the exploitation of the thousands of contract workers employed in Metro. It was a significant victory of the struggles being carried out by the Metro Workers. 

Today, once again, hundreds of metro workers gathered to protest against the violation of labour laws by DMRC and especially JMD contract company. They also burned the effigy of Mangu Singh. DMKU handed over a memorandum along with a charter-of-demands to the regional Labour Commissioner Officer which had been signed by hundreds of workers.

DMKU secretary Mr. Ajay Swami said that DMRC is overlooking the open violation of labour laws by the contract companies. One such contract company is JMD consultants under which around 300 TOM operators are working on Metro Line-1 and Line-2 (Dilshad Garden to Rithala). This contract company is meting out terrible exploitation to the TOM operators. Mr. Swami further added that, at the time of appointment the contract companies take Rs 25,000 as the security amount. Besides, the contract workers are made to sign their resignation letters along with their appointment letters at the time of appointment. And this appointment is only for a period of three months. It is not that DMRC administration has no knowledge of this violation of labour laws. However, despite being the principal employer, DMRC prefers to be a mute spectator. Its glaring example is that for 3 months now the company has neither made any payment to the workers according to the minimum wages, nor can workers avail of the facility of weekly offs. Mr. Swami reiterated that if the legitimate and legal demands of the metro workers are not fulfilled expeditionary, workers will have no other recourse other than starting off a movement. 

 

DMKU president Praveen, throwing light on the demands included in the memorandum said that the workers who are being thrown out of work illegally must be reinstated by the JMD contract company without any delay. The DMRC must ensure the implementation of Contract Labour Act as well as the labour rights available to the workers under other labour laws. Moreover, the payment of the salary must be made in front of the principal employer. 

Various Student-Youth organization as well as women and labour organizations extended their open support to the demands of DMKU and Metro workers. Organisations like Disha Students Organisation, Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Stree Mukti League and Karawal Nagar Mazdoor Union etc. were present. Representatives from these organisations (Navneet from Disha Students Organisation, Sunny from Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Shivani from Stree Mukti League) too addressed the workers.