Balasore, July 20: Lawyers of the district have threatened to take to the streets if their demand for posting of assistant labour commissioner is not fulfilled within a fortnight.

The key post, catering to the litigants of Balasore, Bhadrak and Mayurbhanj districts, has been lying vacant since five months resulting in a huge backlog of pending cases. As many as 472 workmen’s compensation cases for three districts are pending for the above reason, said the lawyers.

“A huge of number cases are pending for disposal. Even amount pledged to the tune of nearly Rs 1 crore by insurance companies towards compensation has not been disbursed. As a result, families of the affected are suffering a lot,” said president of Balasore Bar Association, Niranjan Panda.

“We had apprised our difficulties to the concerned minister during his visit to our district last month. He had also assured us to fill up the vacant post. However, nothing tangible has been done yet. We will wait for two more weeks. If our demand is not met by then, we would be forced to agitate,” said Panda.

Besides, the assistant labour commissioner’s post, several other subordinate posts have been lying vacant in the regional labour office, making it virtually defunct.

Balasore and its neighbouring districts have several industries. The workmen working in these establishments depend on the regional office for settlement of labour disputes. “There are certain decisions that can only be taken by the assistant labour commissioner, who conducts conciliation, submits report to the government regarding the outcome and also even implements the decision of the government on matters of industrial disputes,” said Manoj Nayak, a senior advocate.