Pay equal pay for equal work, demand Hitachi successor unit contract workers' union

By Harsh Thakor*
After 30 hours duration of sustained struggle, an agreement has arrived between the management and the contract workers, sitting on strike in the plant premises of the company Proterial, Manesar, formerly Hitachi Metals. Under the agreement, the company has consented to not to fire the protesting workers. Credit for this goes to the relentless spirit of the workers.
After the B shift workers sat inside the company and the C and A shifts staged a dharna outside, other labour unions and labour organizations of Manesar also arrived at the company gate in support of the provincial workers, including the unions of the Maruti Manesar Car Plant, Maruti Powertrain and Belsonica.
The unions of Maruti Car Plant and Power Train made arrangements for one-time meals for the workers sitting on strike. Along with this, Ram Kumar, leader of the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), dismissed workers of Maruti, Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra and Mazdoor Sahyog Kendra also came in support of the Proterial workers.
The unions appealed to the labour department to intervene and promised full cooperation in the future if needed.

Management's 'defiance'

However, the management declared that it would deduct attendance bonus of Rs 2,000, due to which the workers have objected.
The leader of the contract workers, Rajesh Kumawat, was fired on May 3 on the alleged charge of possessing tobacco. Six months back, 25 contract labourers were also fired.
All these issues, including the demand notice, are to be discussed on May 18 between the workers' representatives and the management.
The workers sitting on the dharna claimed that on May 11, the two leading workers of B shift were terminated by the management, in protest against which they were compelled to embark on the dharna.
The management alleged that the workers were conducting a slowdown for a long time and were giving only 80% production of total capacity. On 11th the talks were conducted on giving 100% production.
Even in the agreement, dated 12th May, the management asserted to achieve more than 100% production. The workers countered that the machines had a stipulated time and more than 100% production could not be given in the time. Only by working overtime could such a target be achieved.
The management appeared to have left no stone unturned in attempting to demoralise the workers by tightening very nose on their welfare.

State of contract workers

Contract workers' salary is approximately Rs 10, 000 per month. Apart from this, a bonus of Rs 2,000 is available every month on complete attendance. If a worker takes a day off, then this bonus is deducted.
If a worker works even for half a day, Rs 700 and attendance bonus are deducted from his salary. If a worker does duty without any breake, only then he gets a total salary of around Rs 12,500.
The company was forced to enter into agreement under under Section 12(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act.
The workers have demanded that all contract workers should be made permanent, unconditionally. Equal pay should be given for equal work and legal holidays should be granted.
Presently, the situation is that if a worker takes leave other than weekly leave or falls ill, his salary plus attendance bonus is deducted, making the worker incur debt for that month.
---
*Freelance journalist who covers mass movements in India. Inputs: Shyambir of Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra and Workers Unity

Comments

When democracy becomes a performance: The Tibetan exile experience

By Tseten Lhundup* I was born in Bylakuppe, one of the largest Tibetan settlements in southern India. From childhood, I grew up in simple barracks, along muddy roads, and in fields with limited resources. Over the years, I have watched our democratic system slowly erode. Observing the recent budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, these “democratic procedures” appear grand and orderly on the surface, yet in reality they amount to little more than empty formalities. The parliamentarians seem largely disconnected from the everyday struggles faced by ordinary exiled Tibetans like us.

Civil society flags widespread violations of land acquisition Act before Parliamentary panel

By Jag Jivan Civil society organisations and stakeholders from across India have presented stark evidence before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj , alleging systemic violations of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 , particularly in Scheduled Areas and tribal regions.

Beyond the island: Top mythologist reorients the geography of the Ramayana

By Jag Jivan In a compelling new analysis that challenges conventional geographical assumptions about the ancient epic, writer and mythologist Devdutt Pattanaik has traced the roots of the Ramayana to the forests and river systems of Central and Eastern India, rather than the peninsular south or the modern island nation of Sri Lanka.

Dr. Ram Bux Singh: Biogas pioneer’s legacy gains urgency amid energy crisis

By A Representative In an era defined by a global energy crisis and a desperate search for sustainable solutions, the visionary work of an Indian scientist from the mid-20th century is finding renewed, urgent relevance. Dr. Ram Bux Singh , a pioneering figure in biogas and renewable energy , is being posthumously honored by the Government of India, even as his decades-old innovations provide a blueprint for today’s challenges.

Alarming decline in India's repair culture threatens circular economy goals: Study

By Jag Jivan A comprehensive new study by environmental research and advocacy organisation Toxics Link has painted a worrying picture of India's fading repair culture, warning that the trend towards replacement over repair is accelerating the country's already critical e-waste crisis.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Protesters in UK cities voice concerns over alleged developments in Bastar region

By A Representative Demonstrations were held across several cities in the United Kingdom on March 28, as groups and activists gathered to protest what they described as state actions in India under the reported “Operation Kagar.”

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Search This Blog