Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee correspondent
Under the leadership of Andhra Pradesh State Power Employees Joint Action Committee (APSPE JAC), the power sector workers of Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) have unitedly started their agitation from 27th July 2023. In a letter addressed to the management (see attachment below) they have explained as to how repeated attempts by the power sector employees to discuss their just demands with the management have not borne any results. Management unilaterally cancelled the pre-scheduled meeting of 20th July which has angered the power sector workers.
They declared a program of agitation starting from 27th July. From 4th August they have resorted to work to rule. On 8th August they have planned a Maha Dharana at Vidyut Soudha, Vijaywada. If all these actions fail to convince the management regarding the urgent need to settle the demands amicably, then the workers have declared that they will launch an indefinite strike from 10th August onwards.
In the letter addressed to management, they have enumerated 12 demands including the following crucial demands:
- Direct payment, equal pay for equal work, absorption as permanent employees on the lines of Telangana state power utilities of all the current contract employees
- Settlement of Pay Revision’22 and payment of arrears since January 2022
- Recruitment to fill up vacancies in all cadres of A.P. power utilities
Instead of agreeing to these just demands, the A.P. government has reportedly threatened to arrest all the leaders and activists of APSPE JAC.
It should be noted that A.P. power sector employees have been actively opposing Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2022 and have regularly agitated against moves of A.P. state government towards privatization of power sector.
A.P. power sector employees deserve the support of all constituents of All India Forum Against Privatisation (AIFAP)