The indefinite protest being staged by the workers serving on contract basis with Mysore Paper Mills (MPM) Ltd., a public sector undertaking at Bhadravati, who are facing hardship owing to the lay-off, entered the fourth day on Tuesday.
It may be recalled that the production had been stopped at MPM following an order by the Central Pollution Control Board for the alleged failure of the company to abide by the pollution control related norms.
As a result, 54 workers serving on contract basis there had to remain without job as a lay-off had to be declared on February 1 this year.
Immediate cause
On May 2, another 63 contract workers lost their jobs as the management did not renew their contract. This prompted the workers to launch an indefinite agitation at the entrance of the mill since that day, urging the management to reinstate them.
Addressing the protest meet, D.C. Mayanna, trade union leader, demanded that the management of MPM reinstate the contract workers at the earliest. He urged the State government to intervene and direct the MPM management to protect the interests of workers serving on contract basis.
The MPM had been suffering losses for the past few years, creating apprehension in the minds of workers about their future.
Attributing the loss being suffered by the for the past several year to outdated production methods being followed in the mill, Mr. Mayanna urged the State government to release for modernisation of the mill at the earliest.
Trade union leaders Lingoji Rao, Prasanna Kumar took part in the protest.
Owing to stoppage of production since February 1, 52 workers are without job from that day
‘Contract of 63 workers which expired on May 2 has not been renewed’
