MP units seek action against illegal unions

The Pithampur Audhyogik Sangathan has sought the state government's intervention in curbing activities of "illegal" trade unions in the Pithampur Industrial Area of Madhya Pradesh.

Pithampur has recently been identified as "auto cluster". A number of big companies like Hind Motors, Bridgestone, Eicher and Kinetic have their units in the industrial area.

Speaking to Business Standard, Gautam Kothari, president of the Pithampur Audhyogik Sangathan, which represents over 400 units in the area, said those illegal trade unions were damaging the image of the state as a peaceful investment destination.

He said unions like Kendr-iya Kamgar Sena (KKS) were harassing workers as well as unit owners for their personal gains. "These unions blackmail both employee and employer by threatening lockouts and agitation," Kothari alleged.

Kothari said local unit owners had made several representations to the labour commissioner, but nothing had been done so far to check illegal unions' activities.

While contacted LP Pathak, deputy labour commissioner, Indore, said the Pithampur Audhyogik Sangathan had informed us about its meeting with Sanjay Singh, labour commissioner. But he refused to elaborate. The labour commissioner was not available for comment.

An official of the MP chapter of the Confederation of Indian Industry also said the CII had brought it to the state government's notice but nothing had been done so far.

Though several units in the industrial area were facing problems, mostly instigated by the illegal unions, as many as 40 units were are facing acute labour problems, said Darshan Kataria, a unit owner in Pithampur. Kothari said because of labour problems, industries were postponing investment plans.