Sponge production at the Sri Metallic Sponge plant here has stopped for the last two days due to workers unrest at a time when the sponge units across the country are under severe stress due to global recession. The plant authorities said that they have stopped all the two kilns of the plant from Saturday following the agitation of the workers.
The plant which is the first sponge plant in the district produces about two hundred units of sponge per day. The workers are demanding an upward revision of wages and other benefits.
They went for strikes after talks held under the auspices of the district labour officials failed on Friday. Officials of the plant said that they have announced an increment of Rs 1,700 in three years in phases which was rejected by agitating workers, demanding instant announcement of wage hike.
