Update : Karnataka : AICCTU Spearheads Struggle of Rice Mill Workers in Gangavati
RICE mill workers in Gangavati are on the path of struggles against illegal closures and denial of ESI and PF benefits. There is no semblance of implementation of any labour law in the entire region, where more than 10,000 workers are employed in rice mills. They work in pathetic conditions where not even muster rolls are being maintained. On 20 May, hundreds of workers gheraoed the office of the local BJP MLA stressing their demands. Industrial disputes and other legal proceedings are going on. In the meanwhile, workers are exerting pressure on the administration, the MP and MLAs.
On May 23, the workers organised a rally demanding action against the management. In the midst of this struggle, through contributions from rice mill workers, a new branch office of AICCTU was constructed in the area, which was inaugurated on 31 May by Party Central Committee member Com. Shankar. After inauguration of the office, a meeting of hundreds of workers was organized at the premises of a mill whose owner has been absconding for more than three months. The meeting was chaired by J Bharadwaj, State Leading Team member of the party. The entire mill premise has been occupied by workers and is being used for the purpose of workers’ meetings and struggles. Rice mill workers have started joining AICCTU rejecting established social democratic unions and their corrupt local leaders for their treachery. On 22 June, AICCTU organised a dharna in front of Gangavati taluk office highlighting the demands of rice mill workers. More than 200 workers from various mills participated in the dharna. Com. Bharadwaj, member of the State Leading Team of the Party led the agitation.
