By TC News Desk
Agartala, 12th November 2024: Around 500 to 600 workers at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) site in Baikhora, Shantirbazar sub-division, have launched an indefinite strike demanding fair wages and weekly leave. The workers, who are engaged in an ongoing blasting operation for ONGC in the area, began their protest on Tuesday morning after alleging that the company failed to honor the contractual terms specified at the start of their employment.
According to the workers, their initial contract guaranteed them a daily wage of ₹580 and a weekly holiday. However, they claim they are currently being paid only ₹400 per day, and no weekly day off has been provided. Frustrated by this breach of contract, the workers have united to demand an increase to ₹500 in daily wages, alongside the agreed weekly leave.
Following reports of the protest, officers from Baikhora Police Station arrived at the site in an attempt to mediate and address the workers’ grievances. Despite extended discussions, the police were unsuccessful in convincing the workers to withdraw their strike. The workers have remained firm in their demands, vowing to continue the protest until their conditions are met.
The strike has raised concerns about labor rights and contractual obligations within ONGC’s projects, casting a spotlight on the treatment of workers in outsourced labor arrangements.
