Not even a heavy downpour could dampen the spirits of the women estate workers whose agitation completed eight days on Saturday.
Amidst the downpour, the women wept as they narrated their tale of interminable woes to the media, asking questions about how they could bring up their families with a monthly earning of Rs.3,000, even as they came out with a list of what they claimed the trade union leaders who had been given houses to stay by the estate management.
As the downpour continued, they took shelter under umbrellas, only to return to the agitation, which has shown no sign of flagging even after a week. With each passing day, a band of leaders appeared to emerge from among the agitators, who spoke with the media and political leaders with confidence, always repeating their two key demands: 20 per cent bonus and Rs.500 as daily wage.
They heard CPI(M) State unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan patiently as he declared that CPI(M) workers would defend the agitators with their life.
However, they would not let P.K. Sreemathy, MP, K.K. Shylaja, who are also State leaders of the All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), to leave their midst when the two leaders joined them in their sit-in. They also held a demonstration against CPI(M) legislator S. Rajendran’s indefinite fast.
Agitators allege that TU leaders have been given houses to stay by the estate management.