Saswat Singhdeo

Paradip: Members of Essar Steel India Workers' Union today staged protest in front of the plant demanding minimum wages and other benefits like Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees' State Insurance (ESI).

The protesting workers alleged that despite protests since long, the authorities have not taken any steps to address their concerns.

"Most of the labourers have been deprived of EPF and ESI. Even there are no weekly-offs, bonus, and allowances. Only a few of the labourers are getting minimum wages," a labourer, Kishore Patra said.

Earlier in May, after the labour union had given a notice to carry out protests, section 144 was imposed in front of the main gate of the plant.

The workers have also alleged that when a date for a meeting between the two sides was finalised, the members of the steel plant didn’t show up.

Authorities of the steel plant are yet to comment on the matter.

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