HAL workers go on indefinite relay hunger strike over wages
Bengaluru, Jun 25: About 500 employees of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited went on an indefinite relay hunger strike here from Tuesday, demanding settlement of wages and also salaries on par with other public sector undertakings.
"We have not got our wages settled since 2017. We are on a relay hunger strike for an indefinite period. Its throughout the nine units across seven states," chief convenor of all the unions Suryadevara Chandrasekhar told PTI.
The union leader said the management was not coming forward for wage settlement on par with what the executives got.
"Their (executives) settlement happened in November 2017. Our negotiations continued but it wasn't fruitful.
Hence, the deadlock," he said.
However, the HAL said, Most of their (unions) contention were untenable. The claim of the unions that the HAL management is deliberately delaying wage settlement and that offers given to them are meagre, is not true, as nine rounds of discussions have already been held."
The company said in a statement there was no justification and rationale in the demand of the unions to extend the benefits such as fitment benefit and allowances, on par or more than executives, when salary revision of executives was effected from January 1, 2017 after the stipulated 10-year period.
The PSU's management believes that workers wage revision from January 1, 2017 can only be achieved with the co-operation of the unions, based on realistic and affordable expectations, the company said.
The increase in respect of officers with effect from January 1, 2017 needs to be compared with the base of January 1, 2007, the state-owned firm said.
It added that the workmen got two wage revisions of five years periodicity during the same span.
The revision needs to be settled keeping in view the increase derived by the officers from the 2007 scales to the 2017 scales and by the workmen from the 2007 scales to the 2012 scales and now 2012 to the 2017 scales, HAL said.
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Eid celebrated with fervour across Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Karnataka on Saturday, with thousands of people offering special prayers at mosques and Eidgahs, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In Bengaluru and other major cities, people gathered in large numbers early in the morning to offer namaz, exchanged greetings of "Eid Mubarak", and visited relatives and friends. Markets wore a festive look, with brisk business reported in garments, sweets, and accessories in the run-up to the festival.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, in his message, said, "May this Eid ul-Fitr bring joy, peace, and prosperity to all our citizens celebrating around the nation. As Ramadan month concludes, let us continue to cherish the values of compassion, generosity, and unity. Eid Mubarak to everyone!"
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who participated in a mass prayer programme, extended greetings to the Muslim community and underscored the importance of harmony and compassion.
"Praying for the welfare of humanity is essential," he said.
"Praying for the well-being of humankind is essential, and people should live with mutual love and trust, guided by humanity. India is a country of diverse religions and cultures, and in a nation marked by unity in diversity, everyone must live together harmoniously. No religion preaches hatred; all religions advocate love," the chief minister added.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, in a message posted on 'X', said, "May this Eid bring happiness and prosperity. Eid Mubarak!" Festive meals, including traditional delicacies such as Seviyan (vermicelli) and Biryani, were prepared in households, while charitable acts and distribution of food and alms marked the spirit of the festival across the state.
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