The state government, which often speaks about its intention to empower women, should immediately go to the rescue of the women employees of Brandix apparel park in Visakhapatnam district, according to a press release issued by the Forum for Development of North Andhra.
Forum chairman and former vice-chancellor of Andhra University K. V Ramana and convenor A. Ajay Sarma said in the release that the women employees were being paid a pittance, hardly Rs 5,000 a month, and "their demand for a minimum wage of Rs 10,000 a month is fully justified and reasonable. It is regrettable that the district administration is siding with the management of Brandix and making attempts to intimidate the agitating employees of Brandix, mostly women."
They alleged that Brandix company was enjoying all the benefits of a special economic zone and earning crores of rupees by exporting apparel and it was not even willing to pay a subsistence wage to the employees. Under the circumstances, the state government should immediately act in favour of the employees and put an end to the exploitation of the women workforce and "then only will anyone take seriously its claims on women empowerment."