After Occupying Factory for 11 Days, Workers Victorious in Binola

The sit-in protest by the workers inside Shivam Auto Tech Limited (SALT) in Haryana’s Binola Industrial Area has ended. The indefinite protest, which saw permanent staff occupying the factory premises, lasted for 11 days.

On Friday, the workers sealed a victory after the SALT management bowed down to their demands. As a result, production started in the facility from Saturday.

The management has agreed to effect the increment in the wages of the workers, which was pending since May 2018. In addition to this, the company will also rethink over taking back the suspended and transferred workers.

The stand-off at the facility, which employs around 400 permanent workers and 800 contract workers, was over alleged non-implementation of a wage settlement agreement by the company.

Escalating tensions among the workers, the management allegedly attempted to “lockout” the facility for the permanent staff. In reaction to which on January 7, around 150 of the workers occupied the factory who were joined by another 250 permanent workers staging a dharna outside the factory gates.

SATL Employees Union President Rakesh Berwa had earlier informed Newsclick that a three-year wage settlement was signed, in a tripartite meeting, on September last year. However, it remained unimplemented.

The move by the workers in Binola was seen as taking inspiration from the ongoing stir at Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI) limited in Manesar.

A similar protest was also staged in the month of November last year by the contractual workers of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI). The staff occupied HMSI’s Manesar plant premises for 14 days protesting against “illegal retrenchments”.