Hero workers to move court

Retrenched workers of Rockman Cycle Industries and Highway Industries have refused to accept Rs 11 crore, offered as closure compensation.

At the same time, the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) is planning to launch a state-wide agitation and take the matter to the high court if their demand of reinstating the workers is not met.

"We want our jobs back, not compensation," said CITU Joint Secretary (Punjab) Jagdish Chand. The compensation has been granted as per the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

Chand said, "If the management of both the units is ready to pay us Rs 11 crore, why do they not spend the amount in reviving the firms? We will take the matter to the high court. The units were never declared sick."

Blaming the CITU workers entirely for the closure of the units, Hero Cycles legal advisor B D Arora said, "The workers have no right to employment now, since the closure is in accordance with the laws. It's definite we are not going to run the units now. We are paying them gratuity, along with other expenses, as closure compensation.

"Earlier as well, never have we succumbed to the demands of workers. Both units were in losses. In two years we have accumulated losses of Rs 6 crore and Rs 4 crore in Rockman and Highway, respectively."

According to Deputy General Manager (Publicity) Ashok Bawa, "We are ready to pay compensation to the workers. Yesterday, the labour commissioner was here, things were discussed and everything is being done as per the laws only."

The financial commissioner (rural development and panchayats), J R Kundal, has permitted the closure of the cycle divisions. One of the major strikes in 2004 continued for 77 days and 7,000 workers were rendered jobless. Then, the demands of the workers were met and they were reinstated in their jobs.

The workers demand a minimum wage of Rs 5,000 for raw hand workers, where as the minimum wage declared by the Punjab government stands at Rs 2,350.

According to ILO specifications, it should be Rs 7,000.