Strike continues at IOC bottling plant

TRIPUNITHURA: The ongoing strike of contract labourers at the IOC bottling plant at Udayamperoor could not be solved as the main contractor did not attend the compromise talks on Friday.The union leaders of all trade unions and the Regional Labour Commissioner along with the Deputy Plant Manager of IOC had arrived at the plant by 9.30 am. However, the contractor did not come for the talks. “In that situation, we have been forced to go ahead with the strike,’’ said the union leaders. In normal course,160 loads of LPG cylinders will be dispatched from the plant everyday to various districts. On Thursday, the company could sent only 100 loads.‘’We suspect an unholy nexus between the company management and the contractor, ‘’the union leaders alleged.The company management can insist on the contractor to attend the talks.But they have been showing little interest in the welfare of the contract labourers, the leaders alleged.However, the Regional Labour Commissioner has asked the company management to make necessary arrangements for another round of talks on Monday in the presence of the contractor.