Tuesday 24 July 2012

Violent behaviour-- result of labor unrest

We have witnessed violent nature of workers in the state of Haryana in North India. Workers had attacked the management staff beating  them with iron rods and injuring over hundred  who are being hospitalised.They had also burnt and killed the general manager of human resource department. Damage of property was high. The behaviour of the workers was just horrible. With this on their record, what will be their future be like? What will become of their factory?Negotiations would have been much better.Now about hundred workers have been jailed, may have hid and are on the run. What would happen to their families?
The Indian State always supports the corporate and never the weak worker.On the name of economic reform, worker's rights were always sacrificed. Contractual Labour Act of 1970 had allowed hiring of workers for small wages.Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 had said that work is "public duty" and that worker is not allowed to strike. Even labour courts and tribunals is not working and there is no help for the worker. No way for reconciliation.The management staff found newer ways "to get around" the laws which were meant for protection of the worker. In other words they found legal ways to exploit the worker.
 When they realized that their factory had made big profits, and the management kept the benefits to themselves; workers became agitated. In March 2012, they had a meeting with the management, workers showed the statistics. During the years 2007 to 2011, while workers' wages increased by 5.5% yearly(consumer price index had gone up over 50%), profits of their factory went up by 2200% When they had shown these statistics and had asked for a raise, the management staff had refused. To show big profits, wages had to be low. Workers were kept as contractual workforce and were given meagre wages(they were not allowed to become permanent).Workers had to bear with the global slowdown although they had worked very hard and had make big profits for the factory. They had minimum food, minimum residential areas to live in and least money to spend on health.Wage system was not just and fair, as equal wages were not given for equal work. Disparity was great--between wages of lower level staff and upper level staff.  These were injustices which they could not live with. They continued making demands, and this resulted in more and more lay-offs only. Many lost their jobs. From frying pan to the flame, the workers suffered further.Trying to negotiate had led to more suffering.There are no mechanisms to settle disputes with management.No other reconciliation methods.
Escalated fear, hate and disgust brought out from within had resulted in violent behaviour. But we cannot justify murder of senior human resource manager or arson or beating the management staff or damaging the factory. These will be dealt with by the police and courts will pronounce judgement. What is the net result? Loss of life, loss of property, loss of man days, loss of profits, loss of jobs and more and more losses. Gains? Jail for making the revolt. Can we not give proper wages and not try to exploit/cheat the worker completely?This is a step backwards in development of labour organisations in India.

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