Sharmila begins indefinite hunger strike demanding reinstatement of dismissed VSP workers
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Y.S. Sharmila on Wednesday (May 21) began an indefinite hunger strike, demanding the reinstatement of the recently dismissed contract workers of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP).
Taking up the slogan Visakha Ukku–Andhrula Hakku, she said Congress leaders are ready to sacrifice their lives for the protection of the steel plant and the welfare of its workers. The Congress leaders and workers who participated in the protest raised slogans against the BJP, JSP and TDP, NDA partners in the State and at the Centre.
During the protest, she listed four main demands of the Congress: immediate reinstatement of the 2,000 contract workers; payment of salaries of regular employees, pending for eight months; reversal of the decision to privatise the steel plant; announcement of the merger of the steel plant with Steel Authority of India Limited.
Addressing a gathering, Ms. Sharmila accused the RINL-VSP management of ignoring the problems of the workers and treating them harshly. Even as the workers were preparing to go on strike, demanding justice, the management showed no sign of taking any corrective measures, she said.
'There is not even the slightest concern in resolving the problems of the workers,' she said. 'The management, which has already laid off 2,000 contract workers, is now plotting to lay off another 3,000 workers, which is completely barbaric,' she added.
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