Date:12/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/12/stories/2008051259580500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

INTUC seeks support for Congress in by-polls

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: The INTUC has urged the working class to support the Congress candidates in the by-elections in the State this month.

Talking to reporters here on Sunday, INTUC national president G. Sanjeeva Reddy said that it was only during the Congress rule that important labour problems were being resolved. The Central Government was striving to provide job security and with the cooperation of others was trying to whatever was possible to protect the interests of the working class, he stated. ‘Towards this, we have already demanded that the contribution towards provident fund be increased from 12 per cent to 15 per cent each by the employer and the employee. We are also demanding that the gratuity be increased from the present 15 days a year to 30 days a year. Discussions are on with the Central Government to this effect,” he disclosed.