Glass factory workers stage protest to reopen unit

Factory operations were suspended from January 25 due to technical problems in production machines.K Suresh Kumar, the factory’s senior manager (human resources), earlier told reporters that technical problems in the production machines were a result of continuous slowing down tactics and unfair labour practices of the union.The problem has occurred as a fall out between the management and the trade union over the revision of the workers’ salaries.The workers had been demanding an enhancement of Rs 2,150 a month as per the agreement signed with the previous management in 2002.However, the present management of the factory who took over in 2002 and have been running it since then have not agreed to it citing decline in profit under the present conditions.The management offered to discuss the hike in salary on the basis of productivity.However, the workers have declined and stuck to a Rs 2,150 hike as a precondition for talks, leading to a stalemate.The workmen felt that they had been let down by the management by not enhancing their wages and suspicion of activities was a means to pressurise them to accept the management’s offer.Two months have already passed since the closure and the livelihood of 225 workers and 450 contract labourers has been in jeopardy.Newindpress.com reported that workers of Ace Glass Containers Limited, Thondamanatham, staged a dharna in front of the office of the Labour Commissioner at Gandhi Nagar on Wednesday, urging the government to mediate in reopening of the closed factory.

Factory operations were suspended from January 25 due to technical problems in production machines.

K Suresh Kumar, the factory’s senior manager (human resources), earlier told reporters that technical problems in the production machines were a result of continuous slowing down tactics and unfair labour practices of the union.

The problem has occurred as a fall out between the management and the trade union over the revision of the workers’ salaries.

The workers had been demanding an enhancement of Rs 2,150 a month as per the agreement signed with the previous management in 2002.

However, the present management of the factory who took over in 2002 and have been running it since then have not agreed to it citing decline in profit under the present conditions.

The management offered to discuss the hike in salary on the basis of productivity.

However, the workers have declined and stuck to a Rs 2,150 hike as a precondition for talks, leading to a stalemate.

The workmen felt that they had been let down by the management by not enhancing their wages and suspicion of activities was a means to pressurise them to accept the management’s offer.

Two months have already passed since the closure and the livelihood of 225 workers and 450 contract labourers has been in jeopardy.