Assam paper mill workers stages protest

Guwahati, December 26, 2018:

The Nagaon and Cachar paper mill workers on Wednesday staged a protest at Dighalipukhuri in Assam demanding payment of pending salaries and also the revival of the mills in the state.

The protest was also staged against the privatization of airports and oil fields in the state.

The protest has been supported by Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), United Trade Union Congress (UTUC), All India Central Council of Trade Union (AICCTU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and the Employees Federations Union.

It may be mentioned that the workers are facing unbearable financial hardships, while some are facing starvation as they did not receive their salaries and any other services from the past 23 months.

The Nagaon and Cachar mills were dividend-paying and profit-making units till their closure in 2015, affecting around two lakh people. The mills became inoperative owing to the dearth of bamboo.

The government had earlier promised to clear their dues and allowances by 10th of April.But no advances has been made by the government till now.