There was tension at the Brandix apparel park at Atchyuthapuram in Visakhapatnam district on Monday, as workers (the majority of them women) went on a sudden strike demanding a minimum wage of ₹10,000 per month and voicing other demands. Women employed in the park gathered in large numbers in front of the gate and raised slogans in support of their demands.

The efforts of the District Collector, N Yuvaraj, and the people’s representatives in the area failed to convince them. They alleged that they were being paid only ₹5,000 a month and the management was also subjecting them to harassment of all sorts.

In fact, the issue came to a flash point on Friday last week and a section of workers went on strike, but they withdrew it on Saturday evening and production was set to resume on Monday morning. But, another section of workers went on strike on Monday and production was affected in all the units.

The Collector, while promising action on their demands such as wage revision, improvement in working conditions and representation to the Centre to allow employees withdraw employers’ share of PF on resignation, appealed to them to resume work.

He said BIAC was one of the major industrial units and after bifurcation the State government was trying to attract investment into the State to create jobs. At this juncture going on strike would send wrong signals, he stated.

Earlier, the BIAC management had stated that a decision would be taken on the demands of the workers by April 30. But, the workers were not content with the assurance of the management. They wanted a firm commitment.

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