Neglect of KSEB contract workers alleged

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The indifference shown by the authorities to the contract employees of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has turned out into a human rights issue, Youth Congress all-India general secretary M Liju said. He was speaking after inaugurating the state convention of the KSEB Petty Contractors and Contract Workers Congress (INTUC) here. The neglect shown by the authorities in protecting these workers is not becoming of a civilised society, he said. Contract workers take up jobs that many of the permanent staff of the KSEB think twice before doing, Liju said. Exploitation of unemployment in the government sector, including the KSEB, should end. There were even instances where the blame of electrical mishaps was put on contract workers who have lost their lives in such mishaps, he said. The Youth Congress will support all agitations against doling out nominal wages to the contract workers violating the principle of equal wages for similar work, he said.  KSEB Petty Contractors and Contract Workers Congress (INTUC) president M S Rawther presided over the function.