LS polls: Transport workers' body to oppose Congress

UPA government did not implement recommendations of VVGLI reports, so the body has decided to oppose party

The All India Road Transport Worker Federation (AITWF) has decided to oppose the Congress in the ensuing Lok Sabha polls for not implementing the VV Giri Labour Institute's suggestions for improving living conditions of transport workers in the country.

AITWF national general secretary K K Divakaran said that because the Congress-led government at the Centre has not implemented recommendations of the V V Giri Labour Institute (VVGLI) reports despite several requests and demonstrations, it has decided to oppose the party in the upcoming general polls.

Divakaran, during the zonal meeting here yesterday, said implementation of the VVGLI recommendations would have improved living conditions of 25 lakh transport workers across the country.

He said that the federation had met the Prime Minister as well as the Union Transport minister several times in this regard and even staged a three-day dharna in front of the Parliament which, however, yield no result.

Representatives of the AITWF from Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Odisha were present at the meeting.

On the AITWF's demand, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2006 had directed the VVGLI to conduct a survey and submit reports for the improvement of the socio and economic conditions of transport workers. Three years later, in 2009, the VVGLI submitted its recommendations.