Labourers issue: FCI clarifies

IMPHAL, Aug 23
Reacting to reports of 'labourers hired  from Silchar' at FSD Jiribam, FCI has clarified that labourers engaged at FCI Godown are hired by handling contractors concerned. "These handling labourers are selected or appointed by the contractor as per agreed wages, terms and conditions of the contractor and FCI has nothing to do in their selection," said a statement of Deputy General Manager (R-II), FCI, RO, Manipur today.
"FCI deals with the contractor and there is no direct relationship between FCI and the labourers employed by the contractor. There is no question of authorised or unauthorised labourers in case of contract labourers the contractor is free to engage labourers from any source in the market," it said.
"As a responsible Principal employer, FCI sympathises with the labourers and appeal to the handling contractor for amicable settlement of the demands raised by the labourers as per provisions of Minimum Wages Act 1948 and other statutory provisions governing contract labour," the statement said.
The labourers have to approach their employer fro redressal of their grievances. There is no provision in the contract agreement for FCI to enhance the handling rate, said FCI.
"In case the contractor fails to address the labour issues and the labourers continue to disrupt receipt and issue of foodgrain stock FCI has right to make alternative labour arrangement at the risk and cost of defaulting contractor as per contract agreement to ensure uninterrupted supply of foodgrain to the State Government for implementation of National Food Security Act 2013. FCI godown premises is a prohibited area and obstruction to depot operations by the labourers is illegal," it said appealing all concerned for support and cooperation in ensuring availability of sufficient foodgrain in the State and no disturbance in depot operation.