Keonjhar: The two-day-long protest by workers at the MSP sponge-iron factory near Haladiaguna under Sadar block of the district was temporarily withdrawn Sunday following assurance by the management to ‘settle’ their demands within seven days.
The workers claimed that the agitation was over administrative negligence by factory authorities. They alleged that two security guards misbehaved with them when they, along with the local sarpanch, went to discuss their demands with the plant authorities, June 26. This sparked resentment among the workers, following which they launched a protest demanding the fulfilment of their various demands and apologies over mistreatment. They staged a sit-in and did not allow officials to enter the factory for two days.
Police had to be deployed near the plant after tension escalated. This led to disruption of work in the factory. The workers’ demands included withdrawal of the unfair dismissal of 20 workers, and their re-induction into the factory works, payment of minimum wages, provident fund (PF) and ESI benefits, eight-hour of duty schedule instead of 12 hours, dust protection allowance, other allowances and identity cards for all. They also demanded the issuance of payment slips, canteen facilities, and provision of basic services, and a gratuity system after retirement. They alleged that due to the arbitrariness of some senior officials resentment among workers is plaguing the factory for the past six months and the establishment might close down if the agitation continues. It is alleged that resentment is also brewing among local residents due to an increase in air and water pollution as plant authorities are not implementing any developmental activities in the area under its corporate social responsibility programme. The company had been running smoothly for 25 years before it was hit by labour agitation which is threatening to derail its functioning. The workers alleged that 20 of their colleagues were dismissed from service after Arpit Lohia and Biswa Ranjan Nanda took charge as executive director and president, respectively. Their complaint before the owner of the company led to the dismissal of the 20 workers, they alleged. Meanwhile, Sanjay Sahu, head of Human Resources of the company said the management is seized with discussions over the demands and appropriate steps will be taken soon within a week.