Striking textile workers elect two to push their demands to ATMA

After Arvind,workers of Ankur Textile,Ashima Mills and Asarwa mills subsequently joined the strike.

“There was lack of unity among the striking mill workers and because of this,no decision was being made from their end. There was also a problem of leadership among the striking workers. Today we have solved the problem and the workers have elected two members to represent them from the TLA,” Deputy Labour Commissioner M B Jadeja said.

“No formal demand has been made yet from workers’ side. On Monday,the new office bearers will present their demands before the ATMA. What is of utmost importance is that the strike should end soon,” he added.

While the mill workers had earlier disregarded the TLA claiming that they failed to resolve the issues of the textile workers,it now seems that the demands will be made through the labour body.

The newly elected secretary of TLA said they have already submitted a draft of the demands to ATMA. “The workers have shown faith in us and because of the unity the situation is under control. We have sent a draft of the demands to the ATMA and we are awaiting a response on the same. We have also demanded an interim relief of Rs 1,600 to be given to each workers by the mill owners on account of their loss of salary since the day of strike,” said Amar Barot,the newly elected secretary of TLA.

On Friday,the TLA had also filed a case against the ATMA in the industrial court demanding higher wages for the mill workers.

“Among the top demands made by the workers includes a 40 percent hike in wages,provision of HRA,LTA and a vehicle allowance,” Barot further said.