11 arrested in labour dispute

Aggressive workers of an auto-casing factory at Satara has compelled the local police to intervene and arrest 11 workers on charges of disturbing the law and order situation in the industrial area.

The police acted in response to a complaint by the management who were allegedly manhandled by workers and activists of the 'Maharashtra Kamagar Swarajya Sangh'(MKSS).

It had mobilised workers in the industrial area of Satara's newly-developed industrial estate.

The Paranjape Auto-cast Pvt. Ltd.(PAPL) is a sound industrial establishment which has the reputation of being a quality casting unit over the last 25 years with a workforce of 700.

It has also maintained industrial peace by following the labour laws and other statutory obligations. But the MKSS's demand to absorb temporary workers as permanent has been a bone of contention which resulted in an agitation and workers' allegedly aggressive actions.

PAPL's assistant manager Anil Patil lodged complaint with the police that he and his colleagues were manhandled by the MKSS activists 11 of who were later arrested by the police.

The agitating workers have also been prohibited from coming within a one km radius of the factory area as a precaution.

The PAPL has continued its routine production with a permanent workforce and has declared that its management is ready to hold discussion with the MKSS which has however, declined to discuss and demanded a positive response the moment the statement of demands were submitted. This situation has created the crisis.