Gujarat : Workers Hold Jan Akrosh Rally Against Demosha, Alok Industries

Valsad | Gujarat –— Tens of hundreds of workers of the Demosha chemicals private limited in Gundlav GIDC of Valsad and Alok Industries in Vapi GIDC participated in the mammoth ‘jan akrosh rally’ organised by the Valsad taluka Congress led by Vansda MLA Anant Patel on Friday. The workers alleged that the two companies in Valsad and Vapi are allegedly exploiting them on various fronts. 

The workers, led by Vansda MLA Anant Patel, took out a rally and submitted a memorandum to the Pardi Sub-District Officer (SDM) and presented their pending demands. This matter is related to the Demosha Company in Gundlav GIDC of Valsad and Alok Industries in Vapi GIDC because the employees of these two companies are currently on strike due to their various issues.

In the memorandum, the taluka Congress committee and employees union have mainly emphasized issues like salary hike, re-appointment of workers, accident compensation, change in working hours of women workers and lack of facilities in the company. The demands of the workers include immediate payment of the outstanding salary hike from the year 2023 to 2025 and its arrears. In addition, there is a demand for the re-employment of about 17 to 20 workers who were dismissed without reason at the time of formation of the union.

Regarding accident compensation, if a worker meets with an accident or dies on the job, then he/she will be given compensation of up to Rs. 20 lakh and the education expenses of his/her children will be borne by the organization. There is a demand to maintain the old working hours of 7:00 am to 3:00 pm for women workers, because the current working hours of 11:00 am to 7:00 pm are a hindrance to their domestic work.

The petition also mentions that the workers who raise their voice for their rights should stop being threatened with being transferred to a lower level post or fired from their jobs without notice. The company has also been accused of lacking basic facilities like sanitation, bathrooms, canteen and vehicle parking.

MLA Anant Patel said, “We had taken out an akrosh rally to raise the issues of the workers of Vapi and Gundlav GIDC companies. The workers have been facing injustice for a long time. We have taken out a rally for the third time on Friday and submitted a memorandum to the SDM. If these demands are not met in the next 5 days, a fierce agitation and dharna will be held outside the Alok company”

The provincial officer has assured to look into this matter. However, Anant Patel accused BJP leaders for holding meetings with company officials, but no local leaders have stood with them on the issue of workers.