Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Sep 13: Workers manning the toll gates at Sastan and Hejamady in the district resorted to flash strike on Thursday September 12 morning. The strike continued for about two hours, during which period the vehicles were allowed free passage through the gates.

Sometime back, the workers had gone on strike as salary was not paid due to misunderstanding between the current contractor and the previous one. The workers alleged that during that strike, the current contractors, T B R Infra, had assured to pay salaries by the tenth of every month. They said that this assurance was not kept and that when approached seeking reasons for delay, there has not been any response. They also demanded immediate extension of facilities like provident fund, employees state insurance etc.

Padubidri police sub-inspector Subbanna, rushed to Hejamady toll gate and told the contractors that salary of workers should be disbursed by the same evening. Thereafter the situation calmed down and workers began to work again. At Sastan toll gate too the workers withdrew strike based on assurance.

It is learnt that the workers got their salaries by Thursday evening. However, because of the strike, the contractor company lost a few lacs of rupees by way of non-collection of toll fee.