Citu union skips tripartite jute meeting

The Bengal Chatkal Majdoor Union, affiliated to CITU, has refused to attend the tripartite meeting called by the Union labour commissioner, to resolve conflicts between the labour unions and the jute mill owners, like payment of dues and working hours.

In a letter dated April 13, 2009, the Union labour ministry had called for the tripartite meeting on Monday.

"I have got reservations to act as a member of the tripartite expert committee on jute," said Gobind Guha, general secretary, Bengal Chatkal Majdoor Union.

The Union government had recently set up a high level committee with representatives from the Union finance and labour ministries, West Bengal government, labour unions and the The Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA). The committee would examine issues pertaining to costing, statutory obligations and agreement, and training in the jute industry, under three different sub-committees, and submit a detailed report on each of the aspects within a month's time

Recently, IJMA had also appointed Ernst & Young for a detailed study on the revival of the jute industry.

The jute industry has been witnessing labour unrest and frequent strikes over the last few years on issues like non-payment of standing provident fund (PF) and gratuity dues.