Uttar Pradesh: When workers asked for salary and overtime, they were fired!
Allegations against the factory management, fellow workers stopping work and protesting at the factory gate, reconciliation talks going on between the two parties under the mediation of Labor Department and India Labor Line.
Published on: 22 Feb 2024, 4:18 pm
Lucknow. Many employees were shown the way out by the factory owner in the Chinhat industrial area of Lucknow, the capital of UP. The employees who had been serving in the factory for years had gone to the factory officials with the intention of discussing matters related to their salary, overtime and leave money. Angered by this, higher officials of DCI (Disinfecto Chemical Industries Private Limited) issued an order not to employ him.
According to the information, DCI has a factory manufacturing medicines for animals near Chinhat-Deva Road Uptron in the city. Hundreds of employees have been serving here for many years. Recently, some workers discussed with their seniors regarding salary and leave related money, it is alleged that as soon as the factory MD Karunesh Aggarwal got wind of this, he threatened and tried to beat him. Last Wednesday, when the victimized employees reached the factory, where the company officials informed them that they were being fired from the job, many of the factory employees gathered in front of the factory gate and staged an indefinite strike, accusing the factory MD and officials of dictatorship. But sat down. After receiving the information, the police reached the spot and tried to reason, but the employees did not listen to the police and remained standing on the spot.
Employee Shivam Yadav told The Mooknayak that on February 19, both employees Sarvesh Yadav and Mahendra Yadav demanded salary, overtime and remuneration for working on holidays from the company official. Also demanded to give appointment letter and get ESI card made. Both of them were beaten up for putting forth these demands.
Shivam alleged that a year ago, an employee named Sandeep Verma was beaten up in a similar manner. Then we did not say anything, but this time we all opposed it together. On this, a false complaint was also made against the employees by the management at the Optran post of Chinhat police station. In which it was said that Sandeep and Mahendra assaulted the company officials. Along with this, a threat was also given to fire all the protesting employees and laborers. Regarding the dispute, the employees complained on the helpline number (India Labor Line) issued by an organization for the workers. Helpline representatives informed the matter to the Labor Department. On the arrival of the police and labor officer, assurance was given that all the employees would get their rights and seven employees were called inside the company for talks. Here, the protesting employees returned to their homes.
This Thursday morning, when the seven employees Sarvesh Yadav, Ramakant Yadav, Santosh, Chanchal, Aman Kranti, Ramakant Sharma and Manoj Yadav reached the factory, they were stopped outside the company. All seven employees were informed to be fired from their jobs. When other employees protested, they were all threatened with dismissal. On this once again all the employees started protesting at the factory gate. On getting information about the incident, Guru Prasad of India Labor Line organization and Labor Inspector Pawan from Labor Department reached the spot. Representatives of other labor organizations also reached the spot. Till the time of writing the news, talks were going on between the factory management and the workers.
In this matter, Deputy Labor Commissioner Shamim Akhtar said that the Regional Labor Inspector has been sent to the spot. This matter is being discussed by sitting with the company officials. Meanwhile, Project Coordinator of India Labor Line, Guru Prasad said that talks are going on between the employees and the factory management, efforts are being made to reach an agreement.
The Mooknayak tried to know the factory management’s side regarding the employees’ allegations, but the company officials refused to respond to the media.
