Ghodganga Sakhar Karkhana : Ready for discussion but firm on demands; Even on the 51st day of the agitation, the role of the workers remains the same
Pune News : Even after 51 days, no solution has been found to the protest of Ghodganga sugar factory workers in Shirur taluk of Pune. We are ready for discussion, but the workers have said that they are firm on their demand to get 50 percent of the stalled salary of Rs. 25 crore. Ghodganga sugar factory workers have been on hunger strike since last year due to salary freeze. In this background, what decisions will be taken by the public representatives and the factory management, the workers of the taluk along with the farmers are also paying attention.
The strike of Ghodganga sugar factory workers completed 51 days on Monday. On this occasion, the workers have once again clarified their position. As the factory did not pay the salaries of the workers for ten months, it was time to strike. Now two months have been completed with the agitation. Labor leader Mahadev Machale said that the family suffered a lot during this period. He said, “We are ready to sit face-to-face with the factory management and discuss, but 50 percent of the frozen wages should be given. This will give some relief to the workers.”
The workers have started a strike since July due to a year-long salary freeze. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar had tried to find a solution to this after seeing that farmers were also suffering along with the workers. Pawar should hold a joint meeting with sugar commissioner, factory management, workers and give 10 percent amount. It was also proposed to deposit the remaining amount and pay its interest to the workers in stages. The protesters rejected Pawar’s proposal, alleging that it was anti-worker.
The workers have become aggressive as the factory shutdown is being hurled at the agitators instead of finding a solution when they are not getting the money for their hard work. Mahadev Machale, Tatyasaheb Shelar, Nanasaheb Masal have also warned on behalf of the workers that the management should not blame their mistakes on us.
“We are firm on our demands. Ghodganga sugar factory is the mother of workers. Workers are going to shut down the factory, this is not a right accusation. Don’t blame your mistakes on us. Pay the workers salary for a year, give factory repair materials, start the factory in time. But instead of solving the problem Machale, Shelar and Masal also warned that it is not right to blame the workers. No more workers will work on credit”.
Due to the firm stand taken by the protesting workers, the embarrassment for the factory management is increasing day by day. The sugar commissioner has sent a notice to the factory due to workers’ agitation on one hand and stalled FRP by farmers on the other. Arguments are being fought in the taluk about how the management will get the factory stuck in this problem out.
