Workers of over 30 power loom factories in Ludhiana's Gaushala, Kashmir Nagar, Madhopuri and other areas are on strike from 16th September 2010 under the leadership of the Karkhana Mazdoor Union (KMU). The workers have revolted against their pathetic living conditions, total absence of labour laws, and callous attitude of the factory owners. This struggle follows in the wake of successful struggles of workers of 42 power loom factories in Shaktinagar and the Jindal Textiles factory.
Workers of over 30 power loom factories in Ludhiana's Gaushala, Kashmir Nagar, Madhopuri and other areas are on strike from 16th September 2010 under the leadership of the Karkhana Mazdoor Union (KMU). The workers have revolted against their pathetic living conditions, total absence of labour laws, and callous attitude of the factory owners. This struggle follows in the wake of successful struggles of workers of 42 power loom factories in Shaktinagar and the Jindal Textiles factory.
Ludhiana has witnessed powerful struggle of workers in recent years, against the terrible wages and working conditions. This city is the industrial capital of Punjab. The main industries here are hosiery, bicycle, tyre, auto-parts, engineering etc.
Thus workers of Hero cycles, Rockman, Avon, Rolson, Highway, Garetave, Bajaj Sons, Hindustan Tyres, Poddar tyres etc. have waged militant struggles for their rights against the owners and the state machinery, which has been deployed to attack the workers struggles. The militancy of workers is reflected in that Section 144 is imposed at most times in all the industrial areas of this city.
Most of the workers of Ludhiana are migrant workers coming from the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They are treated as aliens in their own country. These workers are subject to abject poverty and extreme exploitation. Despite toiling for 12-14 hours a day, most of the time they do not even receive the minimum wages fixed for a helper for 8 hours work {Rs 3400 monthly}. In case of the power loom workers, there has been no increment in the piece rates and wages for last 10-12 years while the prices of all basic necessities like food, housing, medical care, travel have been skyrocketing. On the other hand there has been manifold increase in the profit level of the factory wners.
The working condition of the power loom workers of Ludhiana is inhuman. Serious injuries and deaths at workplace are quite common in the industrial areas. Laws governing working conditions and wages are ignored by the owners and the government labour department colludes with the managements in turning a blind eye to their implementation. Provident Fund, Employees State Insurance, Job Card, Attendance Register — nothing is ensured for workers. The factory owners use both the police as well as private goons to attack workers.
The recent surge of militant agitation among the power loom workers of Ludhiana began with the strike of the 42 power loom factories of Shaktinagar, Tibba Road areas on 24th August 2010 under the leadership of the Karkhana Mazdoor Union. It was the apathetic attitude of the power loom factory owners which was mainly responsible for the inhuman conditions of living which forced the workers to halt the work and choose the path of strike. The main demands of the workers were: hike in the piece rates/wages, necessary provisions for the safety of the workers and implementing all the labour laws including identity cards, PF, ESI etc. The bold, organised and determined fight of the workers forced the power loom owners to relent and they were forced to agree to the demands of the workers. On 31st August the workers withdrew their strike after a written agreement with the owners. After this a strike broke out in the Jindal Textile factory and there too it reached a successful culmination.