Labour Office in limbo for over fortnight

ROURKELA: For the last 15 days, the District Labour Office here has been functioning either from the residence of the officials or borrowed accommodations. The officials resorted to this practice after the belligerent employees of the defunct refractory plant, Orind, forced closure of office demanding fulfillment of their dues.The workers are demanding payment of outstanding dues to the tune of Rs  24 crore and restoration of production in the plant.  While the main gate was closed from April 11, where the agitators are camping and taking turns as part of the sit-in agitation,  the second gate was locked on December 9 resulting in complete closure of the office. District Labour Officer (DLO) UK Jena said, “With the Assembly in session we have no option but to function from home.” Lathikata Mazdoor Manch (LMM) president and Birmitrapur MLA George Tirkey said the labour office would not be allowed to operate till the grievances of the agitating employees are met. He reiterated that DLC was signatory to the tripartite agreement signed on September 23 last year. It is the onus of the State Government to compel the Orind management to abide by the terms of the pact.Under pressure from the agitators, the management on November 19 paid salaries for the month of September 2010 and promised to clear the remaining dues soon. But, as the management sat over it the employees intensified their stir. At the stir site a jobless fireman of Orind, MM Biswal said he is unaware of his fate, but would continue the stir for survival.