Cement workers' pay to rise as CMA, unions sign wage pact

The Cement Manufacturers' Association (CMA) has signed with major trade unions a new wage settlement pact, which would increase the gross monthly pay of cement employees by Rs 5,000. "The CMA and the federation of major central trade unions (INTUC, AITUC, BMS, HMS, CITU and LPF) signed a major wage settlement pact before the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), New Delhi, on February 20, 2019," the statement said. The move is likely to benefit around 20,000 employees in the Indian cement industry, the CMA said in a statement. The present settlement is for four years, from April 1, 2018 to March 31, 2022, it said. Arrears for 11 months will be paid in two instalments. The settlement also provides for service weightage benefits, enhanced DA and other benefits, the CMA said.