Proterial(Hitachi) contract Workers struggle succeeds in re-instating 30 workers and 2 Union Leaders  

protest 2

After 30 hours duration of sustained struggle, an agreement has arrived between the contract workers and the management sitting on strike in the plant premises of the company Protorial, Manesar, on May 12 at 12 midnight. Under the agreement, the company has consented to not to fire the protesting workers. It has agreed to re-instate 30 sacked workers and 2 Union leaders on May 18th. A tribute to the relentless spirit of the workers and organised struggle.

On 11th May, at 5.p.m, a vociferous protest was lodged by the workers against the removal of 2 more Union leaders.

When the workers were sitting on dharma, to threaten the workers the police and the goondas jointly launched an attack. The toilets were also closed .Only on 12th May at 4p.m; the labour inspector opened the toilets. The previous day the workers literally remained hungry the whole day. On 12th May Suzuki Powers Train Union arranged for breakfast, while in the evening Maruti Suzuki workers Union fed 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.

Unions of Maruti Manesar Car Plant, Maruti Powertrain and Belsonica were included in these. 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 from 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.

For a long duration the Hitachi workers have waged a struggle against the contract system. Most of the workers were recruited from ITI campus. In the beginning they were kept, in the name of training, but after completion were employed as contract labour. In recent times significant joint struggles have occurred with workers of Belsonika, confronting contract system.

In June-July 2022 the workers gave a memorandum, demanding re-instatement of 25 workers and 3 Union leaders.

However, the management has declared that it would deduct attendance bonus of Rs 2,000, due to which the workers have objected.

The leader of these contract workers, Rajesh Kumawat, was fired on May 3 on the false charge of possessing tobacco. Six months back, 25 contract labourers were fired.

All these issues, including the demand notice, are to be discussed in the DLC 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 are giving only 80% production of total capacity.. On 11th the talks were conducted on giving 100% production.

Even in the agreement of 12th date, the management asserted to achieve than 100% production. The workers countered that the machine has a stipulated time and more than 100% production cannot be given in the time. Only by working overtime could such a target be   achieved.

On single day both salary and bonus are cut of Proterial contract workers.

The management has left no stone unturned in attempting to demoralise the workers by tightening very nose on their welfare.

Contract workers salary is approximately Rs.10, 000. 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 Naga, only then he gets a total salary of around Rs 12,500.

The contract labourers with whom the company were forced to enter into a tripartite settlement under Section 12(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act.

The workers demand 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.

It is imperative for Hitachi workers to stir an organise resistance, mobilising contract workers from diverse spheres.

Harsh Thakor is freelance journalist who covers mass movements in India. Thanks inputs from Shyambir of Inquilabi Mazdoor Kendra and Workers Unity

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