Just after the CPM rout in East Midnapore in the recently-concluded panchayat elections, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), the party’s labour wing, has flexed its muscles at Haldia Petrochemicals (HPL). Close to 180 security guards, under the banner of Maintenance Workers Association affiliated to CITU, organised an agitation on Tuesday at the HPL alleging that the company is not paying their dues. The agitation continued for an hour.

On Monday, the CITU-backed union submitted a deputation to the senior managers of HPL and gave them two days ultimatum to consider their demands. The authorities have decided to discuss the matter with the union representatives on Thursday.

Sheikh Nuruddin, leader of the CITU-backed association, said: “The security guards are not getting their provident funds and other benefits for many months. The company officials are reluctant to meet our grievances. We have submitted a deputation and have given them 48 hours to consider.”

Trouble was brewing for the last few months. A security guard alleged that the company is dilly-dallying to pay their dues. According to the leaders of Maintenance Workers Union, most of the 180 security guards are working with HPL since inception under various contractors. Despite the change in contractors, the security guards remain. Apart from salaries the guards also get benefits like provident funds and retrenchment benefits, which are due for the past seven to eight months.