As people across the country prepare for the festival of lights, Diwali, a different situation prevails at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant. A few hours before the festival, the decision taken by the steel management has cast a shadow over the lives of the workers.
Not one, not two. The orders issued by the management to dismiss 500 contract workers at once have created a stir.
Despite knowing that the knife is hanging over the neck in the wake of the central government’s privatization decision, such a thankless act on the eve of the festival has become a topic of discussion. This matter has created a stir in the steel city.
There is a strong protest against this behavior of the management. It is known that the central government has announced a package of Rs 11.440 crore for the Vizag Steel Plant.
It is believed that the contract workers are fighting as part of the conditions set by the center for the funds for that package. While the Centre is releasing funds in phases, the steel company is also laying off contract workers.
It is known that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and Minister Lokesh have repeatedly said that Visakhapatnam Steel has received a package due to their efforts.
At the same time, the leaders of the coalition parties are keeping their lips shut about the layoffs. It seems that with the latest layoff of 500 people, the steel company is likely to get some of the package of over Rs 1,400 crore that is still to be paid.
It is said that the Central government has given instructions to recruit new workers with temporary passes to replace the laid-off contract workers. With this, efforts have begun to replace the thousands of people who have already been laid off.
However, it is reported that instead of locals, those who come forward to work in other states for low wages are being called. On the other hand, the Raw Material Handling Plant (RMHP) has been unable to function for four months due to shortage of workers. The BJP government at the center is making the Visakhapatnam steel workers suffer. It has recently laid off 500 workers for privatization.
Three of the previously laid off workers died this month due to agitation. The government is conspiring to lay off a thousand people a month by showing the package. This is a very bad thing. The center is introducing workers (blacklegs) from outside states with the aim of laying off locals.