On May 15th the Hartal of Belsonika Workers Union entered the 12th day. Prominent leaders participating are Mukesh Sharma and suspended leader Vint Tripathi. A tribute to the unflinching resilience of the workers in withstanding management oppression
At 8.00 in the morning Police barged in to foil the dharma and were placed on guard encircling the dharna.Still the management was unable to frighten or displace the workers. The Police SHO told the workers that they would impose no curbs on the dharna as long as workers persisted within the framework of laws .However if it received any notice from the court then it would disallow the protest from continuing.
Workers of Belsonica, a component maker of Maruti Suzuki in Manesar, have been on hunger strike for the last 12 days.
Suspended labourers Pradeep and Asha Ram Meena were sitting on May 11 at 10 am. This is the eighth day of the gradual fast.
Belsonika workesr Union were joined by Suzuki powertrain workers Union, Lumex Union Gharuheda amd Maruti Suzui workesr Union,Manesar.
Both the Unions of the Maruti Suzuki Mazdoor Sangh unanimously undertook discussions.Lumex Union secretary spoke about how unscrupulously workers were sacked by framing them with false charges, for a period of 15-20 years giving an example of the case of 19 workers.
The representatives of Maruti Suzuki Mazdoor Sangh and its associated union along with their executive also reached the dharna. Maruti Suzuki Labor Union held a meeting with the union and spoke about talks to resolve the disputes. Maruti Suzuki Provisional Committee also supported.
Background
The Belsonica union and the workers have been waging a struggle for the last two years against the merciless retrenchment by the management. Management had sacked 3 permanent workers in 2022 last year.
After that, on March 17, three union officials were suspended, on March 30, 10 workers were suspended due to union activities, on April 7, three old contract workers were dismissed for giving union membership.
On April 21, 11 workers were sacked. The management has so far suspended about 13 workers and dismissed 17 workers from their jobs.
In protest against this, the workers under the leadership of Belsonica Union have been embarking since May 4 on successive hunger strikes with their demands.
Union treasurer Pintu Kumar Yadav, sacked comrades Aditya Narayan and Santosh Kumar undertook a hunger strike on May 9, the sixth day of the hunger strike.
Many unions of Gurgaon and Manesar have also come in support of the Belsonica workers who are on hunger strike.
On 9th May from Shramik Sangram Committee Ghaziabad. Subhash, Munmun from SWCC West Bengal and colleagues Khushiram and Subhashini from Mazdoor Sahyog Kendra Gurgaon boldly offered support.
Jaspal Rana of Hind Mazdoor Sabha and Subhash Godara, general secretary of Suzuki Bike Employees Union also extended support the fast.
Harsh Thakor is freelance journalist who covers mass movements in India. Thanks inputs from Shyambir of Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra and Workers Unity
