Militant labor struggles on rise in Ludhiana, Punjab industrial area

Ludhiana powerloom workers protest

Sanhati, September 27, 2010

Saroj Giri

The struggle of Ludhiana power loom workers enters 9th day

The struggle of hundreds of power loom workers of 52 factories of Ludhiana’s Gaushala, Kashmir Nagar and Madhopuri areas which started on September 16, remained inconclusive as of today. A round of discussions held yesterday (September 23) with factory owners in presence of labour officials bore no results. Rajwinder, President of Karkhana Mazdoor Union which is leading the workers in the strike said that there were sharp divisions among the factory owners and they could reach no consensus among themselves.

The factory owners are scared of the organised struggle of the workers and they know that a successful strike this time will boost the confidence of the workers in their organisation which will prove very harmful for them in the long run. On the other hand the spirit of the workers is high and they are determined to lead the struggle to a successful conclusion. The striking workers have been demonstrating in front of the Vardhman Mill (Chandigarh Road) and their strike has now entered into the 9th day.

The strike that started on September 16 in 22 factories of Gaushala, Kashmir Nagar and Madhopuri areas of Ludhiana has now spread to 52 power loom units in these areas. The workers have revolted against their pathetic conditions, nearly no existence of labour laws and basic rights, long working hours and low wages and callous approach of the government and administration. The successful strike (August 24 – August 31) of Shakti Nagar, Tibba Road workers has inspired the workers of other areas.

Ludhiana, Punjab: Workers from over 50 power loom factories on strike

Power loom factory in Tamil Nadu

www.sanhati.com, September 28, 2010

Decisive strike at labour office on September 27 : Strike to be carried on till demands are met

Reaching no conclusion after eleven days of strike in more than fifty power loom factories of Ludhiana’s Gaushala, Kashmir Nagar and Madhopuri areas the workers in the leadership of Karkhana Mazdoor Union organised a big meeting in front of Vardhman Mill yesterday which was attended by more than a thousand workers of different areas. It was decided in the meeting that a strike shall be called at the labour office today (September 27) which shall not be called off until the demands of the workers are met even if the strikers have to spend the night at the labour office.

Rajwinder, President Karkhana Mazdoor Union, said that the immorality of the labour office has reached its limit and they have no regard for their constituinal duties. The workers have been protesting for the last 11 days and their demands are very little and legitimate. There has been no significant increase in their wages for past 10-12 years while cost of living has gone up many times. The profits earned by owners at the expense of the workers have been soaring high but they are not willing to give a penny to the toiling workers. The workers live like slaves in this independent country whose rulers take great pride in calling it the biggest democracy of the world.

While the owners only care for their profits the labour office is even less concerned about the condition of the workers. The labour officers shamelessly take the side of owners in every dispute between the owners and the workers. Rajwinder brought out the contrasting fact that the representatives of the people (Members of Parliament) recently voted to increase their salary by more than 300 per cent but they do not wish to give the majority of people living in wretched conditions even a rupee more. He said that enough was enough and the workers were not ready to tolerate it any more. They will not relent until their demands are fulfilled.

The meeting in front the Vardhman Mill today was attended by representatives of Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Moulder and Steel Worker’s Union, Lok Ekta Sangthan, Mazdoor Chetana Manch, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan), D.I.F., D.T.F., AITUC and INTUC and they promised to provide every support to the strike of the power loom workers of Gaushala, Kashmir Nagar and Madhopuri areas of Ludhiana and announced their participation in the strike to be held today at the labour office. Rajwinder said that now no factory owner has the courage to suppress the striking workers any more.

Released by Lakhwinder, Mobile: 096461 50249
  Secretary, Karkhana Mazdoor Union