Tags:
Journalism of Courage
MUMBAI, SEPT 19: An uncertain future stares around 40 persons working with the Bothra Metal amp; Wire Industries at Kurla in the face, with the unit stopping work one fine day in July 1999. On July 22, workers watched stupefied as the company8217;s chairperson, Vijay Bothra, walked into the factory premises, locked the cupboards and cabin and took away the keys, never to visit the premises again, said the workers. They have not had work since nor have they received their wages since June 1999.
8220;How are we expected to live in such conditions,8221; asked one of the workers, Sambunath Jha. 8220;This company owes me wages since June 1999 and another block of wages for ten months of 1998. How long are we expected to live on borrowed money?8221; he asks. Nevertheless, he and the other workers have been arriving at their workplace at the sprawling four acre Bothra Estate on Premier road, Kurla, everyday.
The Bothra Metal and Wire Industries unit, making copper strips and wires used in railways and electrical units since 1975, first got its taste of workers8217; impatience when it was dragged to the Industrial Court for closing down the unit for ten months from February 1998 to November 1998. The complaints against the unit piled up: there were no increments in salaries, bonus was cut, PF and ESIC contribution were stopped. The Industrial Court had then directed that the company would have to give them their wages on time and regularly. The unit opened again in November 1998. But then disaster struck in July 1999.
8220;To be very frank, we are afraid to go to the factory,8221; says KishanBothra, a partner of the company, 8220;The workers gherao us and threaten us. We have even made a police complaint. One is afraid of one8217;s life.8221; When pointed out that agitation was expected from people who have not been paid for months, Bothra stated that they were trying to get some loans and funds in order to meet the legal dues of the workers.
However, he was not sure if he wanted to close the unit. 8220;There has been a slack in the market. Due to the 10 month closure, many of our clients are afraid to place orders with us. All this has added to our problem,8221; he says. But the workers have a different story. 8220;Even today there are calls coming from many clients asking if the orders were ready,8221; says a worker, 8220;How do we tell them that the unit is not working?8221;.
Neither are the workers satisfied with their union, the Engineering Workers Union, which they say has not been able to fight their cause. 8220;There has been a problem with the company for the past two years,8221; said the union8217;s secretary, VMonteiro, 8220;where we filed legal proceedings for getting the wages. But the same problem has started again. We have now decided to start criminal proceedings for not complying with the orders of the court8221;.
According to Monteiro, while there are talks of the management giving the workers their due, the management is facing a crunch in credit-worthiness. 8220;The owners have a combined problem of funds and business. They have not yet paid some suppliers who are now refusing to forward raw materials. Since the unit is not working, banks are reluctant to give money. There is a working capital crunch,8221; he admitted.
The last meeting with the union failed to conjure up any solution. 8220;The company said they were still looking out for money. We told them to call us up again only if they have been able to make arrangements,8221; said Monteiro.
With most of the workers having worked in the unit for the past 20 years, few are in a position to get another job at another place or have too many dues to be collected toleave the unit in a huff. As the union and the management pacify each other that steps are being taken, it is the workers who are paying, for no fault of theirs.
