Zuari Cements workers plan protest

Contractual workers of Zuari Cements Ltd at Yerraguntla will obstruct the Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s convoy during his proposed visit to the district on July 27, the AITUC State secretary and Zuari Cements Staff and Workers’ Federation president, G. Obulesu, warned on Sunday.  Contractual workers in Zuari Cement unit were denied minimum wages although their counterparts in India Cements Ltd., Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant and other firms were being paid minimum wages fixed by the Government, he alleged at a press conference at Yerraguntla.  The principal employer, Zuari Cements Ltd (Italcementi JV) was bound to implement minimum wages, but left the issue to contractors, he asserted. 

The workers had been agitating since July 12, decrying payment of daily wage of Rs. 30, about one-third of the stipulated minimum wage of Rs. 92, he said. Mr. Obulesu warned of intensifying the stir by mustering support of other unions.