Within barely a fortnight of the beginning of auctions at the newly constructed Bedi market yard of Rajkot Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC), labour strike has started spoiling the show at this one of the largest market yards in Gujarat.

Over 1,200 labourers went on flash strike on Friday morning demanding ‘proper facilities’ at the yard, which was set up at the cost of ₹272 crore and launched by Chief Minister Anandiben Patel earlier this month.

According to APMC officials, the trading activities had to be closed for all commodities. Major commodities traded at Rajkot yard are cotton, groundnut, wheat, jeera, sesame among others.

“Labourers called a sudden strike this morning without intimating in advance. They have not communicated to us their demands in writing. This has stopped trading activity here. This is an attempt to blackmail at a time when arrivals are high. We will take strict action against this," Hardevsinh Jadeja, chairman, Bedi Market Yard told BusinessLine.

Labourers claimed that they have not been provided with some basic facilities including public toilets at the new APMC. Also, the height of platform for loading and unloading was not convenient and created trouble for them. However, they did not demand a wage hike.

"We went on the strike only after the APMC officials declined to discuss the issues troubling us. We have been raising these issues with the authorities of the APMC. But they do not seem to be serious to resolve it," said Harubha Darbar, a leader of Rajkot APMC labour union. He claimed that they had handed over an 8-point memorandum to the APMC officials.

Amid uncertainty of resolution of the labour issues, the APMC has advised farmers not to bring their produces until next advice. “We don't want trouble for farmers. And we feel it will take a few days to resolve this issue as we want a permanent solution to it," said Jadeja.

Jadeja mentioned that since it was a new yard, some facilities including public toilets are yet to be built. However, the APMC has arranged about 20 makeshift toilets for public use.

“If they do not compromise, we will remove them and will arrange workers from labour contractors,” Jadeja said.

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