The organised platform of jute mill owners, Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) has urged the Centre and West Bengal government to declare the ongoing indefinite jute strike as ‘ illegal’ under the section 10(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947 and prohibit it by referring the issue to the Labour Court and Tribunal.
Alongside, it has claimed that the present strike has not been supported by 13 of the 59 jute mills in the state revealing a break in the solidarity of the workers. In all, 13 mills have started operations from the day of strike on December 1 2008 in phases.
The mills are - Ambica, Bally, Meghna, Bharat, Mahadeo (from December 1), Delta (fine unit), Caledonian, Premchand, New Central Tepcon (from December 2), Delta (main unit), Tirupati and Jagatdal (from December 4). In all, 18 trade unions barring the Citu affiliate BCMU have joined the indefinite strike on pending issues with mill-owners, especially payment of enhanced dearness allowance. In a letter to A K Singh, Secretary, Textiles, IJMA said, initiatives need to be taken in persuading the workmen resume operations in the jute mills while dubbing the strike as ‘illegal’ and ‘prohibitive’.
IJMA appealed to the Centre to take up the issue with the West Bengal government. IJMA chairman Sanjay Kajaria said in a letter to the West Bengal Principal Secretary Labour Department, “The strike would cut off the supply line which will create a situation that would be detrimental not only to the jute industry but also to workmen and jute growers.” IJMA fears orders for B Twill supplies during Kharif season are likelyto be adversely affected because of the strike.
Packaging of sugar and grains in 50kg jute bags (665gms) will be worst affected on account of the strike as this is the time for loading of such materials. IJMA says, almost a third of total procurement is on account of sugar packaging and this will be eroded as a negative impact of the strike. The formula worked out by the Tariff Commission for pricing of B.Twill bags is also currently under revision.