Kodingamali Bauxite mine, Odisha: Mythri Infra’s workers protest over minimum wages crosses 45 days

On 14^th March 2021, the protest of the workers of Mythri Infra Limited Company at Kodingamali under Laxmipur block in the district has crossed 45 days, as discussions among multiple stakeholders pursued to remain inconclusive regarding their retrenchment and demand of minimum wages as per the labour norms.

Odisha Mining Corporation has subleased the Kodingamali bauxite mine to Mythri Infra Ltd. The workers under the banner of (KKSS) Kodingamali Khani Shramik Sangathan (Kodingamali mine labour association) have been continuing their strike in front of the Collectorate for the last one and half month voicing allegation that the company is not following the wages payment rules and other facilities as per mining sector norms.

“However, the demands of the workers have so far fallen on deaf ears”, said Dharmendra Bag, KKSS Secretary.

He also added: “The Company has retrenched us without any legal notice as we demanded minimum wages and other facilities according to the labour law. We have been continuing our protest in front of the Collectorate for the last 45 days. But neither the company nor government officials have paid any attention to our ordeal so far,” said KKSS Secretary Dharmendra Bag.

A complaint of injustice has already been filed before the Central Labour Commission in Bhubaneswar by the protestors.

“We have filed a complaint before the Labour Commission. The Commission has set 9th April 2021 for the hearing of the case. We are confident that we will get justice finally,” said Bag.

Notwithstanding, Mythri Infra Limited’s authorities disregarded the allegations of the workers.

Tushar Kanti Turuk, Public Relation Officer, Mythri Infra, said: “Some of the workers of the company have been transferred on indiscipline ground. Their allegations are baseless. In a bid to fulfil their unjustified demand they have even manhandled some of the higher authorities of the company.”