July 1st 2024.
Over the weekend, the town of Keonjhar was in turmoil as workers at the MSP sponge-iron factory near Haladiaguna staged a two-day protest. The workers were unhappy with the factory's management and their demands for better working conditions and treatment had not been met. However, on Sunday, the workers decided to temporarily withdraw their protest after receiving assurance from the management that their demands would be addressed within seven days.
According to the workers, their agitation was a result of administrative negligence by the factory authorities. They claimed that when they, along with the local sarpanch, went to discuss their demands with the plant authorities on June 26, two security guards behaved inappropriately with them. This incident sparked resentment among the workers and they launched a protest demanding not only the fulfilment of their various demands, but also an apology for their mistreatment. They remained steadfast in their protest, staging a sit-in and not allowing any officials to enter the factory for two days.
The tension escalated to the point where police had to be deployed near the plant, causing a disruption in the factory's operations. The workers had several demands, including the withdrawal of the unfair dismissal of 20 of their colleagues and their re-induction into the factory, payment of minimum wages, provident fund and ESI benefits, an eight-hour work schedule instead of 12 hours, dust protection allowance, and other allowances. They also wanted identity cards for all workers, payment slips, access to a canteen, and basic services. Furthermore, they demanded a gratuity system for retirement.
The workers alleged that the factory had been facing issues for the past six months due to the arbitrariness of some senior officials. They feared that if the agitation continued, the establishment might have to shut down. It was also claimed that the local residents were becoming resentful due to the increase in air and water pollution caused by the factory. The workers accused the plant authorities of not carrying out any developmental activities in the area under their corporate social responsibility programme. The company had been running smoothly for 25 years, but now, the labour agitation was threatening its functioning.
The workers also alleged that the recent dismissal of 20 of their colleagues was a result of the actions of the new executive director and president, Arpit Lohia and Biswa Ranjan Nanda. They claimed that their complaint to the owner of the company led to the dismissal of these workers. However, Sanjay Sahu, the head of Human Resources of the company, stated that the management was discussing the demands and appropriate steps would be taken within a week.
The protest may have been temporarily withdrawn, but the workers are determined to continue their fight for better working conditions and treatment. They are hoping that the management will fulfill their demands and address the issues that have been plaguing the factory for the past six months. The next week will be crucial in determining the future of the factory and its workers.
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