Workers, unions plan protest rally in Gujarat

Eden Gardens in Kolkata will not be the only high voltage arena on March 19 when India take on Pakistan in the T20 cricket tourney. The same day will see thousands, including workers from Tata Motors along with 22 trade union representatives, take out a rally at the Sanand Industrial Estate in Gujarat protesting suppression of labour rights.

Since February 22, the Tata plant at Sanand has virtually become a battleground where the key players in this drama are the workers, management and State administration. Nearly 400 of the 2,200 employees have been on strike following the suspension of 26 workers on charges of misconduct. The strike was deemed 'illegal' by the company while the Gujarat government followed up with orders prohibiting it.

Within days of announcing the strike, others trade unions rushed to extend support, including the All India Trade Union Congress, Centre of Indian Trade Unions and Indian National Trade Union Congress.

Tata Motors has requested the workers to get back to their jobs while assuring a fair trial for those suspended. "There is no trust on either side. Workers once awarded by the company for good performance are now suspended for misconduct and indiscipline. This happened after we attempted to form a union," alleges Harpal Jhala, one of the agitators. Ashim Roy, Vice-President of the National Trade Union Initiative which represents the striking workers, says, "There is a broader issue of labour rights. Workers were suspended without any notice. By bringing the police into the plant, the management is trying to forcibly suppress their rights to form a union."

Jhala says there was really no intent to strike and all that the workers wanted was their voice to be heard. This was when they decided to register a union and call it Bhartiya Kamdar Ekta Sangh - Sanand. “There have been issues of wage revision, bonus and ESI since Diwali last year and we wanted these discussed properly for which a representation was needed," he says. However, he adds, even before the union could get registered, the company began dividing the workforce by suspending some of them.

It was only last week when Gujarat government authorities hinted at recognising the union. "We have had more than 10 meetings with workers and management to resolve the standoff but neither is relenting. The application to form a union was made in December and it will soon be registered," says MS Patel, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Ahmedabad Zone.

Anand Yagnik, senior counsel of Gujarat High Court, blames the State government for the workers' woes at Tata Motors. He says the administration has “colluded with the management” and acted against the interest of workers.

“There is a clear violation of their fundamental and statutory rights. The State is identifying itself with the management which stands for brute crony capitalism. We will represent the workers in the High Court," says Yagnik. Ashok Panjabi, a labour rights activist and senior Congress leader, says the Tata Motors saga is just a trigger and there could be more agitations in store.

The protest march planned on Saturday will have representatives and members of unions from banks, LIC, Food Corporation of India as well as textile and pharmaceutical workers.

‘There will also be a large group of farmers whose land was acquired to accommodate these companies. It will be a show of strength from us and alarm bells for the state government," declares Panjabi.

According to Tata Motors, production at Sanand has not been hit by the strike. "Till date, some workers have resumed and we have learnt that many others are keen. However, some who are against the best interests of workmen and smooth operations are intimidating them from resuming," says a spokesperson.

Incidentally, Gujarat has seen labour-related issues at other plants as in the case of General Motors, Halol, Reliance’s textile unit in Naroda (Ahmedabad), Arvind and Bombardier. For a State pitching itself as the new auto hub, residents like Honda, Maruti and Ford will be closely monitoring the developments.