Date | Feb 01, 2017:

The stage is set for the second international mining workers conference organised by the International Coordination Group (ICG) and the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) in the industrial coal belt of Ramagundam in Peddapalli district from February 2 to 5.

Already, delegates from 22 countries and trade union leaders from India arrived in Ramagundam to make it to the first-ever international mining workers conference in India. The first edition was held in Peru in 2013, during which it was decided to conduct the second edition in India.

A rally would mark the beginning of the conference on Thursday. It would begin at Vittalnagar and end in GM colony, where a public meeting would be held. Conference chairperson P.K. Murthy, coordinator Pradeep, ICG main coordinator Andreas, and ICG members from Peru, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Germany, and Congo would speak.

The inaugural session would be held on Friday at Laxminarasimha gardens in NTPC. Retired Supreme Court Judge Justice Gopala Gowda would deliver the inaugural address and chairman, reception committee, M. Kodandaram would give the welcome address. Several issues would be discussed on Saturday and Sunday.

The closing ceremony would be held on Sunday after the plenary.

Mr. Pradeep said the conference gives an opportunity to understand the state of the mining sector around the world and issues confronting the workers in the sector. It would be an expression of international working class solidarity, which is an imperative necessity in the present context of worldwide attacks on the various rights of workers, he said.

The conference would also discuss open cast mining, environment and protection of jobs, struggles of workers, and safety of miners, among other issues.

(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)