Casual workers' unions in Hills merge

SNS, 10 DECEMBER, KURSEONG: The Darjeeling Himalayan Karmachari Sangathan (DHKS), an employees' union comprising DGHC/GTA casual workwrs, yesterday merged with the United Employees' Association (UEN). The UEN is also an organization of employees that was formed on 11 September 2017 by casual workers of the GTA/DGHC, while the DHKS had been established on 10 October 2013 and affiliated to the Trinamul Employees' Union, INTTUC.

The two organizations jointly announced the merger after a meeting they held at the Gorkha Jan Pustakalaya Kurseong. The meeting was attended by representatives of both organizations from different places in the hills and they discussed the present political scenario, it is learnt.

Talking to reporters, the United Employees Association, President and General Secretary, Anil Rai and Deo Prakash Khawas, respectively, said that they took the merger decision by keeping in mind the interest of employees or casual workers

"We believe that by uniting, we can work and achieve more for the workers," Mr Rai said. "At present, the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Board of Administrators and the state government have harboured positive thoughts for the Hill issues. Hence, we want to work together with both the GTA and the state government,- he added.

Mr Rai said that both the organizations originated from the GJMM's Jan Mukti Asthaayi Karmachari Sangathan (JAKS).

"The mistakes made during the JAKS period should not be repeated, while all the employees should work and come forward for their betterment instead without any political burden or compulsion," he said.

According to Mr Khawas, the DHKS former president Dilip Singh was appointed as the working president of the newly- merged United Employees' Association.

Without mentioning the Trinamul Congress and the employees union INTTUC,Mr Singh said the unification has stopped several people from raising questions against our organization."

"A new name and a new flag will be given to the newly formed association very soon. We have suggested Himalayan United Employees Association as then new name," he said. He added that they will fully cooperate and support both the state government and the GTA. "In response, they should also solve the various problems of the casual workers," he said.

Interestingly, this is not the firs time that the Darjeeling Himalayan Karmachari Sangathan has lost its existence. Earlier too, when the Sangathan had not even completed a year of its formation, it had completely vanished from the hills after the resignation of all its leaders due to the then political scenario and political pressure in the Hills.