Britannia Workers Continue Strike in Bharuch as Political Leaders Step In

Bharuch, Gujarat : Over 300 employees at Britannia’s biscuit manufacturing plant in Bharuch’s Zaghadia GIDC have continued their strike for a tenth consecutive day, with political intervention escalating the dispute after the company allegedly failed to address workers’ demands for salary increases.

The strike, which began with workers demanding better pay and resolution of other long-standing issues, has now drawn the attention of prominent political figures including MP Mansukh Vasava and MLA Chaitar Vasava, who have formally petitioned the Bharuch Collector to intervene.

“We cannot stand by while 311 hardworking employees are being denied fair compensation,” said MP Mansukh Vasava. “The company promised resolution by Tuesday, but those promises remain unfulfilled.”

According to workers’ representatives, management had assured the political leaders during a recent meeting that all demands would be addressed by Tuesday. When this deadline passed without action, the politicians escalated the matter by submitting a formal petition to the district administration.

“We gave the company ample time to negotiate in good faith,” MLA Chaitar Vasava told reporters. “Their failure to honor their commitments has forced us to take stronger measures.”

The petition delivered to the Bharuch Collector explicitly threatens a lockout of the facility if Britannia management does not meet the workers’ demands, which primarily center around salary increases but also include other unspecified issues that workers claim have been pending for some time.

A worker who requested anonymity expressed frustration over the situation: “We make products that feed millions across India, yet the company refuses to feed our families fairly. All we want is what we deserve.”

The strike has already impacted production at the Zhagdia facility, one of Britannia’s significant manufacturing units in western India. Industry analysts suggest prolonged disruption could affect regional supply of the company’s popular biscuit brands.

Neither Britannia’s corporate management nor local plant officials have issued official statements regarding the ongoing labor dispute. The Bharuch Collector’s office has acknowledged receipt of the petition and is expected to facilitate discussions between the parties.