Alwar workers rally for dignity, fair wages

JAIPUR: A Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti (struggling workers union) was formed in Alwar district on Sunday to voice the needs of youth and workers from different industrial units who in recent months faced unfair dismissal from work after attempting to form unions. Workers or former workers of the Honda two-wheeler unit at Tapukara in the district, the Daikin manufacturing facility, Toyoda Gosei Co and other firms joined the union and sought fair wages and an atmosphere of dignity at workplaces.

A press release issued by the workers said, “About 1,000 workers, many of whom have worked on contract for long years, joined the meeting. Speakers who addressed the gathering spoke of how the state was conniving in allowing wealthy owners of capital to exploit workers. Local youth are being deprived of jobs, and the work in the factories is often of a contractual nature. Workers are routinely underpaid and thrown out of work when they attempt to form unions. Those who lead union activities are abruptly dismissed and many find that they have false cases slapped on them by employers. Many have been jailed for no fault.”

The workers put forth a set of demands to the state government:
1. Ensure that unfairly sacked workers from the Tapukara Honda unit, Daikin, Toyoda Gosei and other units are reinstated.
2. Illegal contracts should be clamped down upon. For regular and permanent work, workers too should be made permanent. Implement the orders of the Supreme Court on equal pay for equal work.
3. Manufacturing units should be forced by the government to offer fair wages and conditions of work that support the dignity of workers.
4. Make available employment opportunities for local youth.