Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram has given an assurance that he will convene a meeting between the district administration, Labour department officials and representatives of management of Gokak Mills in the presence of Small-Scale Industries and district in-charge Minister Satish L. Jarkiholi to resolve the row between the mill workers and management within a week.
Following the assurance, the Mahashakti Javali Karmikara Sangh, the newly floated union of workers of Gokak Mills, a division of the Forbes Gokak Limited situated at Gokak Falls, withdrew its agitation temporarily. The Sangh planned to organise a massive protest in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office here today to pressure the State government to intervene and ensure that the management gave up its moves to “lock out” the mills, as it would throw the lives of more than 3,000 workers and families out of gear.
Sangh President Bhimshi L. Jarkiholi said the Deputy Commissioner sought time till Monday to explore the possibilities of re-opening of the mill and settling the issues involved.
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Two of the workers’ major demands were re-opening of the operations and revocation of suspension of all the 16 union leaders and members.
Mr.Bhimshi said production at Gokak Mills had come down by almost 70%. The management was citing losses in some of its units to close them down instead of taking corrective measures. The company suspended 16 workers and their leaders for questioning the “anti-worker” decisions of the management, he alleged.