Increase of working hours by 50%: Tea Mazdoor Congress appeals for repeal of the order

May 22: Till 7 May, 2020, the hard working labourers were supposed to work for maximum of 8 hours in a day as per the ‘International Labour Standards of Working Time’ governed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO). However, on 8 May, 2000, as per the decision of the State Cabinet of Assam, the ‘Labour and Welfare Department (Assam)’, directed to increase the working hours by 50 percent on a weekly basis from maximum of 8 hours to maximum of 12 hours per day. This was stated by the Assam Pradesh Tea & Ex-Tea Mazdoor Congress Department (APCC) in a memorandum submitted to Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam through the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar on Saturday.

The Mazdoor Congress in the memorandum stated that the hardworking labourers have a great impact on the socio-economic development of the nation since long. They, however, stated that such directions of enhancing the working hours from 8 to 12 hours by the government will surely lead to mass exploitation of the labourers in will trample upon their rights.

It is in this context that Mazdoor Congress urged upon the Chief Minister of Assam to reconsider the matter with utmost priority and withdraw the order issued by the Labour and Welfare Department  of Assam. They appealed to the Chief Minister to re-implement the ‘International Labour Standards On Working Time’, that is, maximum of 8 hours per day. The Assam Pradesh Tea & Ex-Tea Mazdoor Congress Department (APCC) further stated that, if the new anti-labour notification is not withdrawn, then they will be bound to start a vigorous democratic movement and in due course will also bound to move the court of law. However, they hoped that good sense will prevail and the state government realising the gravity of the situation will definitely repeal this anti-labour step.

On Friday, in the absence of the Deputy Commissioner, Assam Pradesh Tea & Ex-Tea Mazdoor Congress Department (APCC) handed over the memorandum to ADC Sumit Sattavan for onward transmission to the Chief Minister of Assam. The delegation comprised of Sanjeev Roy- General Secretary of the Mazdoor Congress Department, Rajat Roy, Dilip Kumar Singh, Dinesh Kahar, Babul Goala and Fagun Rabidas.