Demanding intervention of the state government to get their problems solved, the members of The Tamil Nadu Medical and Sales Representatives Association (TNMSRA) organized demonstrations in front of the district labour authorities across the state on Wednesday.
The secretary of the Association said that the demonstrations were conducted as per the decision of the FMRAI, the all India federation. As part of the national agitation, more than three hundred units of the FMRAI held demonstrations all over country.
The members demanded the amendment of Section 2(s) of the Industrial Disputes Act. The office-bearers of the TNMSRA said the state governments should bring in Amendment of Section 2(s) of the Industrial Disputes Act to include sales promotion employees as workmen, in line with the amendments effected by West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh governments.
The Central Government had communicated this matter to the State Governments several times in the past but not all the governments including that of Tamil Nadu have taken any step in this regard, they alleged.
Ramesh Sunder, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Unit said that the Maharashtra Government is moving towards the removal of Medical and Sales Representatives from the MRTU & PULP Act.
The government of that state attempted to bring a bill in the Assembly to remove these employees from the Maharashtra Recognition of Trade Unions & Prevention of Unfair Labour Practices (MRTU & PULP Act) despite strong opposition from many legislators. The members of the FMRAI have been repeatedly protesting against the unfair attitude of the Maharshtra government and the agitation will continue till the goal is achieved, he reiterated.
The association submitted memorandums addressed to the State labour minister and another one addressed to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra which was handed over to the District collector.
The association's national working committee, which will be held on May 25 and 26 in Kolkoltta will take future course of action in this regard, Ramesh said.