Report of the press conference on 18 March 2023
Main points of the speech of the Convener of the Sangharsh Samiti, Shri Shailendra Dubey
• The strike started at 10 pm on March 16
• The formation of any committee does not end the strike.
• The Energy Minister is saying that the doors of talks are open
• We are also saying that the doors of dialogue are open
• No one has called us for talks
• 1332 poor contract workers have been fired
• It is written in the agreement that everyone will be given equal pay
• Our lawyers will handle the court case
• We were accused of sabotage
• The government is yours, you get the investigation done
• Obra’s 1000 MW production has gone to zero
• Most of the production units have shut down
• Power corporations have adopted stubborn attitude
• There is a written agreement of December 3 but it is not being implemented.
• False allegations of sabotage on SLDC engineers
• When the employees did not go to the office, then how did the vandalism happen?
• Obra and Anpara are gold mines, not coal mines
• Assets of Power Corporations are our mother and we worship them
• We stopped work peacefully
• When outsourcing getting Rs. 8000, how will it work
• There will be a 48-hour strike tonight
• We had said that if action is taken, we will go on indefinite work boycott.
• If arrested or punished, we will do a Jail Bharo campaign
• FIR was lodged against 22 office bearers of Sangharsh Samiti
• Arrest us if FIR is registered
• We have come here, we will not leave now
• We do not have any invitations to talk
• Will take back the removed employees only then will join duty
• Our aim is not to hurt the public
• Will go on an indefinite strike if the order of dismissal is issued
• We are ready for any inquiry
Declaration of the Sangharsh Samiti (Struggle Committee)
• Whether ESMA or NSA is imposed, we will not back down
• We will strongly oppose privatization
General Secretary’s call
• Management has descended to the level of dictatorship and repression
• All employees should be ready, no need to retreat