Ghodganga Sakhar Karkhana: Pay 50 percent of salary, otherwise…; Warning of ‘Ghodganga’ workers
Pune News : Ghodganga sugar factory workers have been paid almost a year’s salary. As a result, the financial condition of the workers has deteriorated and their families have faced starvation. Nirvani has warned the former President, MLA Ashok Pawar along with the factory management that they are ready to pay any price that the workers who are aggrieved by this should pay at least 50 percent of their salary. Due to this, a back-and-forth discussion has started in Shirur and Pune district whether the ‘smoke of struggle’ between workers and factory management will stop or not.
Foodgrains and grocery kits collected through public participation were distributed to the workers who were in trouble as they had not been paid for almost a year. For this, Shiv Sena and MNS officials took the initiative. On the occasion of this event, on the 45th day of the agitation, all the workers along with their families were present at the main entrance of the Ghodganga factory . While guiding the workers, senior labor leaders Shivajirao Kale, Tatyasaheb Shelar, Mahadev Machale and others attacked MLA Pawar along with the factory management.
Senior leader Shivajirao Kale said, “I worked in the factory without pay for ten months. Despite demanding salary, the management and the former president acted. When the weapon of agitation was brought out, a proposal was made to give three months’ salary from the factory. This matter was approached by the Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He held a meeting with the officers and management. Kale demanded that 10 percent of the salary and interest on the rest of the salary should be given to the workers. It is not in the interest of the workers. It is necessary to think about the workers to start the factory. For that, 50 percent of the salary should be paid,” demanded Kale.
Labor leader Mahadev Machale said, “If a factory man becomes an MLA, there was hope that the factory workers would have better days. We stayed away from home for many days to make him an MLA. But if we look at the current situation, it is time for the workers’ families to starve. For the MLAs who have been opposed all their lives. They are the ones who have come running for the stomach of the workers. Now we don’t see the persecution of the family. Therefore, we should pay 50 percent of our rightful salary, otherwise we are ready to pay any price”, Machale has also warned on behalf of the workers.
These are the demands of the workers:
- Giving 12 percent wage increment difference of 33 months in Tripartite Committee Agreement.
- Salary arrears for the months of September 2022 to July 2023 should be received.
- Provident Fund to pay arrears from November 2022 to June 2023.
- The arrears of the workers’ society deducted from one year should be received.
- From the year 2009-10, the amount of Retention Allowance, Employee Insurance Deduction should be paid promptly.
- Salary arrears of daily workers should be paid.
- Due final payment of retired employees.
- Employees should be paid overtime dues from December 2016
- Relief amount deducted from salary should be paid to heirs of deceased employees.