M.J. Appaji, Bhadravati MLA, staged a hunger strike outside Mysore Paper Mills (MPM) on Friday, demanding that the management reinstate 116 contract workers who have been laid off.
Mr. Appaji said that a delegation of trade union leaders from Bhadravati had submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently requesting him to protect the interests of the contract workers. The Chief Minister had directed the top officers of he firm not to disturb the contract workers. It is unfortunate that the management had violated the directions issued by the Chief Minister, he said.
Production halted
The production at MPM was halted recently as per the order of the Central Pollution Control Board for alleged failure to abide by environment pollution rules. Following this, the contract workers had been sacked on the pretext of avoiding loss. Mr. Appaji cautioned that the protest would be intensified if the demand was not met.
Meanwhile, the indefinite protest staged by the contract workers for fulfilment of their demands entered 13th day on Friday.
