There is a description in the October issue of Majdoor Samachar of
the initiative
of women
workers in stopping production from 12 to 24 September in Jay
Ushin factory.
In the factory of Jay Ushin Limited at Plot 4 Sector 3, IMT Manesar
there are 390 women workers in the lock set department, 350 in the
switch department, 50 in the four-wheeler lock department, and 25 in
moulding. Besides 815 women workers there are also 300 male workers.
The scared and nervous management
was able to bring in only 170 women workers to the factory
during 12 to 23 September. After giving concessions the company was
able to get all female-male workers who were holding their ground
outside the factory for 12 days, to restart production on 24
September.
When they were outside, then of course the two sides were face to
face. Even after entering the factory, the two sides have remained
clearly defined, although 3 who were initially leading have
withdrawn. A high official moves around with a gun in the factory.
To stop workers from going to the toilet, a supervisor has been
placed at the gate. A while before the shift ends, the manager comes
and stands at the locker room. The 170 who remained inside have been
prohibited from conversing with those who stayed out. And, on 22
September, a male worker was in the 2 to 10pm shift when he was
informed of his mother’s illness. After telling the manager, he
left the factory at 4pm. The next day he was not taken on duty. To
get him reinstated, on 29 September, workers went to the HR
department, and they were told that the manager has refused. Workers
went together also on 30 September, 1 October, 2 October, but
the management did not agree. The bosses said, if you want to go ,
you too go…..
On 27 September when the workers demanded payment
for the overtime done during 1 to 11 September, the bosses said,
first shout slogans, then you take it. Workers got together and went
4 to 5 times to the bosses, then the overtime payment was made.
Women workers were paid at double the rate and male workers were
paid at a little lesser rate, Rs. 55 per hour and Rs. 40-46 per
hour.
September wages were not paid till 7 October.
Workers got together on 10 October and went to the HR department.
Teasingly the bosses said that so and so will give you the salary,
to which the workers replied, then get the work done from
them. The bosses were scared, called the contractors, and started
the wage disbursal the next day.
A supervisor told a female worker not to hold meetings, you
may be dismissed any time. The worker dared him to dismiss, at which
the supervisor took her to the HR department and complained that she
speaks too much. On asking
“Why?”, the woman worker said that the mouth is for
speaking, for speaking against wrong. Work quietly or go…….In
response she said that we will not work under threats, and this
scared the bosses. The workplace of the worker was changed.
The factory has been functioning for 10 years but the company was
not paying the statutory bonus
. One impact of stopping work in September has also been that
all workers
have been given bonus before the Diwali festival.
On 19 October a Sunday, workers worked in lieu of an off day on 22.
There was talk of a company function on 21 October – singing,
dancing, refreshments, and gift distribution at 3pm. The
instructions are for wearing salwar kameez in the factory but on 21
many wore sarees. Since morning, work only in name, and by 1pm it
had completely stopped
. Sharp words exchanged between supervisors and workers. At 2pm
the company put up a notice that 22 October also will be a normal
working day….The workers tore the notice, got together and went to
the HR department, and demanded gifts. The bosses got nervous, said
the gifts have not arrived, will come tomorrow, work till 1pm on 22,
overtime will be given for the whole day. There was no company
function, on 22 October also, came in sarees, took gifts and walked
out of the factory.
After the Diwali vacations, the factory reopened on 27 October.
Everything was normal the whole day. A little before the end of the
shift, the manager came and started scolding women workers who had
gone to the locker room. The workers protested. Next day, 28
October, 3 women workers were not allowed to enter the factory. Said
you have caused a loss of Rs. 60 million, now you cannot work
inside. In protest, workers stopped production till 11 am. Then on
29 October, for one out of these 3 workers, the company bus was
not stopped at Rewari, the second was made to get off the bus at
Kosli, and the third was made to get down from the bus at Pataudi
Chowk. From the day the three workers have been stopped from
entering the factory, every day workers get together and go to the
HR department, 28-29-30-31 October, and on 1 November, workers
gathered and went to the bosses in the factory. The bosses: We will
not take those three, if you want to go, then you also go…..To
prevent workers from conversing on mobile
phones
, the company has installed a jammer in the factory.
- See more at:
http://sanhati.com/articles/12043/#sthash.6JV3vepB.dpuf
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