Port Blair, Oct 11: Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, President, PCC met the Chairman, Port Management Board on 9th October, 2012 along with a delegation of General Employees Union and Andaman Labour Force, and stated that, the Port Management Board (PMB) during June 1999 engaged 19(nineteen) Daily Rated Mazdoors (DRMs) with the concurrence of Chief Secretary/Chairman (PMB)who were the dependants of the employees of PMB died in harness.
These workers were engaged for performing mooring/unmooring works at various wharfs and jetties. The work of mooring/unmooring at wharves and jetties being of regular nature and considering continuous & prolonged engagement of these workers, the PMB took a conscious decision to confer these DRMs the status of casual labour by paying @ 1/30th of the pay at the minimum of pay scale of Rs.4440-7440/- i.e. Rs 4440 (pay) + 1300 (Grade pay) +DA for eight hours of work in accordance with the ‘General Terms and Conditions for employment of casual labour’ stipulated in the Government of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, DOPT, New Delhi, OM NO. 49014/2/86 – Estt. (C) dated 7th June 1988.
The present strength of these casual labours is 17 (seventeen). As regular need of these 17 casual workers exist for performing mooring/unmooring works at various wharfs and jetties, the PMB in its 30th Board Meeting held on 17.02.2012 under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary, A&N Administration deliberated and approved the proposal of regularization of services of these 17 casual labours against the vacant posts of Mazdoors available in the establishment of Andaman Labour Force (ALF) under PMB.
Shri Sharma has also appraised that in a meeting of the General Employees Union, Andaman Labour Force with the management of PMB held on 18.09.2012, while discussing the issue of regularization of services of 17 casual labours, it was informed that, in view of the decision taken by the Board, the proposal for regularization has been submitted to the Chairman(PMB)/Chief Secretary, A&N Administration for approval. Hence, Shri Sharma has requested the Chairman, PMB to kindly bestow his personal attention and accord necessary approval, so that these 17(seventeen) casual workers who have rendered more than 13 (thirteen) years tireless service are duly acknowledged and rewarded by getting them absorbed in the PMB against the regular vacancies of Mazdoors. The Chairman, PMB gave a patience hearing and assured to look into the matter in positive spirit.
