Akhila Bharatiya Ispat Mazdoor Sangham President K Srinivas Demand
United We Stand: Workers Rally for Immediate Bonus Release
Kommineni Srinivas stated that it is deeply painful that ex-gratia (bonus) have not been paid to the Visakha Steel workers. He reminded everyone that RINL functions as a constituent partner of the NJCS (National Joint Committee for the Steel Industry). He termed the failure to implement the wage revision for the workforce at the Visakha Steel Plant as inhumane, adding that it is extremely unfortunate that workers are being denied bonuses even as production at the plant continues uninterrupted.
He revealed that talks were held on the first of this month in Delhi with trade union leaders and SAIL representatives. He reminded everyone that workers have not been paid ex-gratia for the past two years, adding that allowances are only being paid partially.
Expressing deep concern over the steady reduction of the workforce, he noted that while 17,000 workers used to be employed in the past, that number has now come down to just 8,500. He questioned the management over sending employees home every month under the guise of VRS, while delaying the settlement of their pending dues. He expressed outrage that the tyrannical policies of the steel management were destroying the morale of the workers.
Direct Engagement with the Ministry of Steel & Local Representatives
He stated that the issues discussed during the Delhi talks would be brought to the notice of the Union Minister of Steel and Mines. Pointing to the wage revision agreement reached with management in 2017, he questioned why it was being implemented in phases. He further criticized the steel management for halting bonus payments for the last two years after consistently paying them for decades.
Since RINL’s financial decisions are heavily influenced by government directives, trade unions must lobby political leadership, regional MPs, and the Steel Ministry. They must demand that the Union Government provide a dedicated bridge-loan or budgetary allocation specifically earmarked for employee dues and bonus clearance before the festival.
Escalating Pressure within the NJCS Framework
Protests must move beyond symbolic lunch-hour demonstrations. Unions need to prepare for escalated, legally compliant industrial action—including work-to-rule, mass leave notices, and strike ballots—timed precisely during the peak production cycle. Management must realize that production targets cannot be met while worker rights are suppressed. The payment of the Durga Pooja bonus is not a gesture of charity; it is a rightful reward for the labor that keeps RINL’s blast furnaces running. If trade unions act with unity, tactical resolve, and relentless escalation, they can force management and the Ministry to authorize an immediate festival advance or partial bonus payout. The upcoming weeks will test the strength of collective bargaining in Ukkunagaram.
Principal Correspondent, Prime Post
CS Kulasekhar Reddy had thirty five years experience in journalism. He worked in Udayam and Andhra Bhoomi as reporter and sub-editor. He highlighted various social issues in Chitthoor, Ananthpur, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. He covered assembly sessions and Secretariat happenings.
Email: sangatiksr@gmail.com
Mobile: 9000400679
