Maharashtra sugarcane workers threaten to halt crushing season over wage demands
Maharashtra’s sugarcane harvesters and transporters have demanded a 100% increase in harvesting and transportation rates, along with mandatory insurance and ₹10 lakh accident compensation. The organisation warned that workers could disrupt sugar mill operations if demands remain unresolved.
An organisation representing sugarcane harvesters and transporters in Maharashtra has warned sugar factories that crushing operations could be disrupted if its demands, including a 100% increase in harvesting and transportation rates, are not meet, reported Sarkarnama Esakal.
The warning comes as sugar mills across the state prepare for the upcoming crushing season. Organisation office-bearers have said they will not allow factory operations to begin unless their demands are addressed.
A key demand is a doubling of wages and rates for sugarcane harvesting and transportation. The organisation said lakhs of workers from Beed and neighbouring districts travel to western Maharashtra and other states each season to harvest and transport sugarcane and should receive higher remuneration for their work.
It has sought a 100% increase in rates for sugarcane harvesting and transportation, as well as for bullock carts, cart centres, mini-tractors, trucks and other transportation arrangements involved in moving cane.
The organisation has also called for sugar factories to provide mandatory insurance coverage to every sugarcane harvester and transporter. It has demanded compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the family of any worker who dies in an accident while engaged in sugarcane harvesting.
According to the organisation, the negotiations on the new wage agreement should cover not only harvesting and transportation rates but also the social security and financial protection of workers and their families.
The organisation wants these provisions to be incorporated into the new agreement following the expiry of the existing wage agreement. It has warned that failure to accept the demands could result in workers preventing factories from starting operations and disrupting the commencement of the crushing season.
The organisation said it would intensify its campaign for the demands under the leadership of Pankaja Munde, who is associated with the organisation representing sugarcane harvesting workers, commonly known as Ustod Kamgar, in Maharashtra.
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Source : ChiniMandi
