Mangaluru: MRPL Mazdoor Sangha has given Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) a one-week ultimatum to address alleged safety lapses and discrimination against contract workers, warning of a district-wide “MRPL Chalo” agitation if its demands are not met.Addressing a press meet on Tuesday, union honorary president Satyajit Surathkal alleged that contract workers continued to face safety risks and unequal treatment inside the refinery. Referring to the recent death of contract worker Manish Karkada and safety concerns across plant units, he said workers were living with “a ticking volcano in our lap every single day”.He alleged that contract workers were denied basic facilities and segregated from permanent employees. “British-era discrimination continues inside MRPL, where boards on toilets read ‘For Employees Only,’ denying contract labourers and female staff even basic hygiene and rest facilities,” he said.He also alleged that safety protocols were not uniformly enforced. The union has submitted a 29-point memorandum seeking better compensation, healthcare, workplace facilities, job security, union rights and environmental safeguards. Its demands include Rs 10 lakh health insurance for workers and their families, Rs 25 lakh compensation for general accidents and Rs 1 crore for deaths on duty. It has also sought Rs 10 lakh retirement honorarium and compassionate employment for dependants of deceased workers.Surathkal also raised the case of contract worker Keshav, who reportedly died two years ago after allegedly being struck by a crane counterweight in the company workshop. He alleged that Keshav’s family was denied compassionate employment and received only Rs 32 lakh, including Rs 10 lakh from a life insurance policy.The union also sought action against toxic emissions, foul odour and wastewater contamination, besides local hiring and better utilisation of CSR funds.
