Mill workers stage first strike in 5 decades, suspend it for 10 days

Hisar: Workers of Delhi Cloth and General Mills Company Ltd (DCM Mill) staged a strike on Sunday, marking the first major labour action at the unit in more than five decades. The protest was suspended later in the day after the management assured workers that their demands would be addressed within 10 days.Hundreds of workers gathered outside the mill and blocked its main gate, alleging denial of statutory minimum wages, reduction in bonus payments, withdrawal of leave benefits and imposition of forced overtime. The protest prompted intervention by district administration officials and labour representatives.According to workers, the management had earlier assured them of a 20% bonus, but salary slips issued on Saturday reflected only an 8% payout. They also alleged that casual leave benefits had been discontinued and wages were not being paid in accordance with Haryana govt-prescribed minimum wage norms.The situation eased after senior management officials, including the chief executive officer, held discussions with employee representatives and sought 10 days to address their concerns. Following the assurance, workers agreed to defer the strike.The agitation has revived memories of the prolonged labour unrest between 1975 and 1983, when thousands of workers went on strike. The dispute eventually culminated in the closure of the mill in 1984.When contacted, HR manager Vishwas said he had joined the mill only a month ago and was not in a position to comment on the issues raised by the workers. He identified Ved Kaushal as the mill's chief executive officer but declined to share his contact details.BackgroundThe mill has remained at the centre of land-related disputes for decades. After the 1984 closure, the Haryana govt resumed possession of 253 acres of the mill's land in 1989, citing violation of conveyance deed conditions. The decision was later set aside by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.More recently, a residential project, Gulmohar Park, proposed on a portion of DCM land came under scrutiny. The licence granted for the project was subsequently suspended by the Department of Town and Country Planning and remains under suspension.MSID:: 131568900 413 |