Bicholim Nestle workers on hunger strike for reinstatement

Bicholim: Nestle’s contract workers in Maulingem, Bicholim, have been on an indefinite hunger strike since Monday under the banner of Rashtriya Mulnivasi Bahujan Karmachari Sangh, protesting against the company’s inaction on reinstating retrenched workers.

Speaking to TOI, Sangh president Anand B Shirodkar said the company has illegally retrenched 30 contract workers since 2013 and refuses to reinstate them despite solving the issue of loading workers with the labour commissioner.

Shirodkar said the union submitted a charter with 25 demands, but the company is delaying and adopting hire-and-fire tactics.

He said a reminder letter was sent to the company after 14 days, but they still refused to resolve the workers’ issue. He added that despite winning the case, the company has not taken any positive steps to find a solution.

He also said sustenance for contract workers has become difficult and urged the company to reinstate them. General secretary Sanjay Satu Gaonkar announced a hunger strike until April 4, warning of intensified agitation if ignored. He added that some workers have been working in the company since 1999, and still it neglects their issues.