With thousands of workers, mostly women, from 10 different units of Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC) at Atchyuthapuram, Visakhapatnam, going on strike since April 15, delivery of garments are feared to have been affected.
The protesting workers have been demanding pay hike and continuity in Provident Fund, sources said. In view of these agitations, additional police forces have been deployed in the area.
Meanwhile, the development commissioner of Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone has called for a conciliation meeting between the management and workers, which has been slated for April 21.
Several units operate under Quantum Clothing, Ocean India, Seeds Intimate Apparel, Pioneer Elastics and Shore to Shore in BIAC. The delivery schedules of these companies are expected to be affected due to the ongoing strike. The park has an annual turnover of around of Rs 1,500 crore.
According to the media reports, Brandix has closed all 10 units within the SEZ, and told the workers that the corporate head office in Sri Lanka would decide on their demands by April 30.
“It is reported that a flash strike has been organised by some of the workers of the units of Brandix India Apparel unit-1, 2 and 3, Quantum Clothing Limited and Seeds Intimate Apparel Limited on April 15 and 18, respectively, without issuing a statutory notice,” VSEZ development commissioner reportedly said in a letter to the management of BIAC.
The women workers at these units have been seeking Rs 10,000 as minimum wage. “We have been working in the company for the past four years against a meagre wage of Rs 4,200 a month,” said one of the workers. “We will not work for such a paltry sum any longer.”
They, however, assured that they will resume their duties once a decision is announced on the revised wages.
The agitation has reportedly been spontaneous, unorganised and not led by any trade union, so it has become difficult to control or even convince the workers on any issue.
Meanwhile, a holding statement, issued by BIAC read: “Brandix India Apparel City wishes to state that the current employee flash strike is illegal and without any prior notice. We are a law-abiding SEZ and the employees have neither submitted any demand nor given us any notice period to consider their demands. A flash strike of this nature is condemnable.
“We also wish to bring to notice that this year the minimum wage revision is expected in the state. As soon as the government finalises the wages and compensation packages, we will be implementing the same at BIAC,” said the statement.
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