Mine labourers strike in Bundi continue

The strike by a section of miners in the Dabi and Budhpura area of Bundi district continued for the third day on Monday. The workers are

protesting meagre remuneration and dismal work conditions.

This is the first time that in Rajasthan this sector is witnessing protests by workers.

A group of about 150 mine workers on Monday, along with representatives of the Rajasthan State Mine Labour Union, gave a memorandum to the sub-divisional magistrate and the superintendent of police apprising them of the working condition in these mines.

The memorandum highlights the fact that these mine labourers are not provided identity card by the authorities nor is any attendance taken. As a result of this there is no proof of the fact these labourers work in the mines.

"This is a great cause for concern for if any such worker die while working in these mines or gets any serious diseases then there is no way to prove that they have been working in the mines, making it difficult for them to claim compensation," members of the union said.

The memorandum also points out that the workers at Dabi and Budhpura mines in Bundi are not paid even minimum wages. It states that the strike would continue till the miners' demands are met.

"We have also urged the SDM to get the matter verified after a through inquiry. Issues of child labour and non-compliance of mining rules have also been highlighted in the memorandum," said Bansi Lal, secretary of the union.

Most of these labourers are from down from the south and are involved in shaping the mined sandstone from these mines. Most of these miners, numbering about 800, belong to the Bhil community.