DC, Bokaro ban strike for 6 months during Covid-19 pandemic
Bokaro: The Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) on Tuesday declared to take strict disciplinary action against those employees or officials who will not come to work on Wednesday. The announcement was made by BSL management, following few trade unions called a strike demanding pay revision for workers by Steel Authourity of India Limited (SAIL).
BSL management has clearly stated that employees abstaining from work on 30.06.2021 will be deemed to be on Strike. Accordingly, there will be wage loss for a day on the Principle of “No Work No Pay” along with loss of Incentive/Reward. Further, they will be liable for disciplinary action as deemed fit according to the rules of the Company.
Some of the Trade Unions operating in BSL have served notice to observe strike on Wednesday over issues mainly related to Wage revision. BSL is an Integrated Steel Plant with Thermo Sensitive units. Any disruption in the operation process will be dangerous to men and machine as well as affect production and productivity, industrial peace and harmony adversely.
Moreover, the Central Government has declared the Iron and Steel Industry as Public Utility Service under the provisions of Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 and during pendency of conciliation proceedings before the conciliation officer, any strike by workmen would be a violation of provisions of the Act.
It would also be pertinent to mention here that recently a letter No- 1476 dated 01.05.2021 has been issued by DC, Bokaro prohibiting all Strike/Dharna/Pradhrshan/Julus for a period of Six (6) months. Every employee is fully aware that maintaining the flow of production is vital to our Plant and SAIL /BSL has a healthy tradition of resolving issues through discussions with Trade Unions/Workers representatives and this has helped in establishing a conducive IR climate.
It is expected from the Trade Unions operating in BSL and the employees that the same tradition is maintained to resolve the issues. In the recent past, BSL has made invaluable contribution to the Nation by supply of Liquid Medical Oxygen which has helped in saving precious lives. There should be no disruption in Plant Operation at this stage which might disrupt supply of Liquid Medical Oxygen, especially at a time when there is a possibility of third wave of COVID.
To keep up the tempo of production as well as uninterrupted supply of Liquid Medical Oxygen to the Nation, it has been decided that no leave will be granted to the employees on 30.06,2021 for any reason whatsoever, Leave already sanctioned shall be deemed to be cancelled.
