Deadlock continues as cops hunt for stir leaders

Initially,the workers had demanded a hike of 15 to 20 per cent in their wages but have since refused to go back to the factories unless they have the usual basic protective facilities in place,including attendance cards and accidental insurance — for which the factory owners are supposed to pay premium.

Incidentally,sources said the Surat police are working on two theories on the strike. One is that it has political backing and the other,it has the backing of Naxals or their sympathisers. Police sources say that if the agitation stops on January 27 after the state-level Republic Day celebrations,it could indicate political interference. But if it continues beyond that indefinitely,it might point towards the involvement of Naxal groups.

From Sunday night,thousands of weaving units in Kim village of the district have also been affected by the stir as all labourers are remaining away from their jobs. Most of the protesting workers are migrants.

Interestingly,several pamphlets written in Oriya and Hindi asking labourers to remain away from jobs have been pasted at many places,especially in the areas where the workers stay. The pamphlets warn the workers that it would pose a “danger” for them if they go back to work before the owners agree to a unit hike of 20 to 25 paisa in wages.

Ashok Jirawala,the president of Federation of Gujarat Weavers Association,said,“We have requested owners to go to the areas where labourers stay and assure them that nothing will happen to them in the factory if they come for work. The industry had never faced a strike like this before.”

In the Ved road industrial area,many factory owners have put up notices written in Hindi that they have raised the wages up to 10 per cent and people who are ready to work should come,but hardly any of them got workers.

Ved Road Weavers Association president Devesh Patel claimed that the factories in the area were paying a “handsome salary” to workers varying from Rs 8,000 to Rs 15,000,which was far better in comparison to factories in other areas. “We have still agreed to hike it further by 10 paisa on every meter of grey cloth weaved. But there are over 300 different qualities of grey cloth woven in the city and the wages depend on the quality of the cloth weaved. Factory owners do not make much profit on low quality cloth and it is difficult for them to effect a uniform hike. We are also trying our best to convince the owners to accept their demands of attendance cards and accidental insurance,” he said.

Harshad Patel,a weaving unit owner in Sachin area,said: “A single worker takes care of up to 10 machines and earns enough,while earlier a single labourer would handle only a couple of machines. The price of raw materials like polyester yarn have gone high,as a result of which the profit margin has come down drastically. If the strike continues,dyeing and printing factories will also shut down as they will get no more grey bales.”

Deputy Director of Labour K S Gill claimed that “some positive signs” were seen as a few factories operated on Monday. “The Weavers Association is convincing those workers wanting to get back to job that they will have enough security,” he said.