Hyderabad: Labour, Employment, Mines and Geology Minister Dr. G. Vivek Venkatswamy appealed to employees to support the INTUC-backed Mogulla Raji Reddy panel in the upcoming Water Board union elections.
Addressing a campaign meeting at the Telangana Water Board headquarters on Tuesday, the minister said INTUC has a long history of protecting workers’ rights and promoting employee welfare.
TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud, MLAs Danam Nagender, Anil Kumar Yadav and Kale Yadaiah, former Mayor Bonthu Rammohan, INTUC National President Sanjeeva Reddy, labour leaders and employees attended the meeting.
Vivek Venkatswamy recalled that his father, Kaka Venkataswamy, and Sanjeeva Reddy had participated in several movements for workers’ rights. He said INTUC has worked for labour welfare since its establishment in 1947.
Water Board union elections become focus of INTUC campaign
The minister expressed confidence that employee support would help the INTUC-backed panel secure victory in the Water Board union elections scheduled for June 6.
He said the Congress government remains committed to addressing workers’ concerns and protecting their interests.
Criticising the previous BRS government, Vivek Venkatswamy alleged that it failed to respond adequately during the RTC strike in which 54 employees lost their lives. In contrast, he said the Congress government resolved a recent RTC strike through discussions within two days.
The minister also alleged that the previous government cancelled recognised union elections in Singareni. He said the Congress government later increased minimum wages and introduced measures aimed at improving workers’ welfare.
Highlighting labour reforms, Vivek Venkatswamy said the government enacted the Gig Workers Act to address issues faced by gig and platform workers. According to him, the legislation has set a benchmark for labour welfare in the country.
He said worker-friendly measures, including higher minimum wages and the Gig Workers Act, have strengthened employee confidence in the government.
The minister assured employees that if Mogulla Raji Reddy wins the election, discussions would take place with Water Board management to resolve pending employee issues.
Nearly 3,000 employees are expected to vote in the Water Board union elections. Vivek Venkatswamy urged them to elect Mogulla Raji Reddy, the joint candidate supported by INTUC, AITUC and the Water Board SC/ST Employees’ Associations.