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Kolkata , Dec. 29

THE jute industry workers of West Bengal have gone on an indefinite strike from Monday in response to call made by 15 central trade unions demanding higher dearness allowance and others.

The trade union leaders and mill owners confirmed that all the 59 integrated jute mills in the State have stopped production. While the trade union leaders complimented the workers for responding to the strike call, mill owners said that it is a deadly blow to the falling fortunes of the industry.

More than 2.5 lakh workers are affected due to this strike. On an average, the daily industry-wide production loss due to the strike is approximately 4,000 tonnes. The jute mills in West Bengal are mostly located in Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Paraganas.

The 15 central trade unions have submitted an eight-point charter of demands, which includes increased dearness allowance, bonus, regular payments of workers' provident fund, ESI and abolition of contract labour, among others.

They also protested against the Union Government's move to disinvest National Jute Manufactures Corporation, the only central public sector unit in the jute sector, and the proposed dilution of the mandatory packaging orders.

Several rounds of discussions were held between the mill owners and the trade union leaders. Even the State Government organised a couple of tripartite meeting but they failed to solve the crisis.

It was learnt that the mill owners had agreed to increase the dearness allowance, but asked the workers to allow them to implement the productivity norms that was mentioned in the last tripartite agreement signed between the workers, mill owners and State Government two years ago.

"The workers are not willing to accept it. They have said that DA should first be increased and then the subject of productivity should be considered. This is not acceptable," Mr Sanjay Kajaria, President of Indian Jute Mills Association, told Business Line.

According to Mr Kajaria, increased dearness allowance without increased production would affect the viability of the jute industry. "Depending on the size of the mill, each owner would have to pay Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh more per month on this account only," he explained.

Meanwhile, there has been good demand for jute bags for the rabi season crop. According to Mr S. Mazumdar, Jute Commissioner, the total demand for jute bags for this season is 8.5 lakh tonnes, out of which 2.3 lakh tonnes have been indented and 1.1 lakh tonnes have already been supplied.

AP workers pledge support

Vizianagaram Bureau adds: THE workers and staff in Andhra Pradesh jute mills are extending full support to the indefinite strike launched by the staff of 59 jute mills in West Bengal from Monday, according to Mr M. Srinivas, co-convener of the Andhra Pradesh Jute Mill Staff Workers' Committee.

In a press release issued here on Monday, Mr Srinivas said the workers in West Bengal were forced by recalcitrant managements to go on strike to achieve their demands and they should have the support of all democratic sections.

He said West Bengal with 59 mills and Andhra Pradesh with 19 were the two leading States. "Usually, the workers in West Bengal lead the way in securing for workers their due and on the same pattern the wage structure in Andhra Pradesh jute mills is determined. So our brethren in West Bengal have our full support,'' he said.

Going into the causes ailing the jute sector, Mr Srinivas said the managements were trying to cut costs by reducing the wages of workers and make the mills competitive, while the actual causes for the difficulties of the mills were different.

"Firstly, there is no sincere attempt on the part of the Government to promote jute or jute diversified products. Besides, the order stipulating that at least 50 per cent of the foodgrains be stored in jute sacks is not being enforced and polythene bags, though so much is said of the damage they cause to environment, are being preferred,'' he complained.

Citing the difficult market situation, he alleged, the mills were not giving jute farmers a remunerative price and were denying a fair wage to the workers in the mills as well. "The Government is remaining a mute spectator,'' he alleged and urged the Bengal and Union Governments to resolve the issues quickly and take steps for the revival of the sector. The workers of the jute mills staged a demonstration in front of the mills to express solidarity with the striking workers of Bengal.

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