Despite the management’s appeal to resume work, the strike of denim major Arvind Ltd’s Naroda complex here continued on the eighth day on Monday as more workers joined the stir in support of their charter of demands, including a 40% hike in wages.
Mr Yashpal Jaiswal, associated with Majur Mahajan Sangh, a leading trade union, said the management had not so far responded positively to the workers’ demands nor has it called them to the negotiating table. He also alleged that the management is dilly-dallying and “going round-and-round” without settling the issues.
According to him, all 4,000-odd employees, including temporary ones, have now joined the strike and production has come to a halt. Until Friday last, some 60% production of denim was stated to have been affected daily.
No official from Arvind Mills management was available for comment.
The strike by a section of workers began on June 4 and the number of strikers swelled subsequently.
On Sunday, the management carried an appeal in local newspapers asking them to resume work immediately, else the company would take stern, legal steps.
It also described the strike as “illegal” and said the Ahmedabad Textile Mills Owners Association as well as the State Labour Department and Majur Mahajan Sangh were trying to work out an increase in the employees’ wages. These mills have also assured to settle the demands within six months. So, Arvind Mills could not unilaterally take a decision on the demands.