Serious implications of strike at Haldia: Tata Chemicals

Kolkata, March 20 (IANS) Issuing a veiled threat, Tata Chemicals Friday said the ongoing strike of contractors' workers at its factory in West Bengal's Haldia will have "serious implications" on the unit's future and the industrial township may not be seen as a preferred business location.

Describing as "unreasonable" some fresh demands made by the contractors' workers, the company, in a statement, said that following tripartite meetings attended by the contractors, district labour commissioner of East Midnapore and the workers, a consensus had been reached Jan 8 regarding a fresh settlement that was due on Jan 1 last year.

Though a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by all the parties,  the employees' union raised fresh demands which hampered the signing of a long term tripartite settlement Jan 18, it said.

"Some of the demands had long term implications on the sustainability of the factory. Owing to uncertainty of material availability and infrastructure related issues, the plant operations and profitability were constantly under pressure. These unreasonable demands will have serious implications on the future of the factory," the company said.

While a section of the loading and unloading contract workers went on a strike from Feb 18, the remaining contractors workers joined it from Feb 24.

The company alleged that though some of the contract workers were willing to resume work, "a section of the contractors' workers are opposing and obstructing entry of these workers".

"They are also obstructing the movement of other material at all gates hampering the essential operations of the factory undermining the safety and environmental issues. Our deep concern is that the ongoing illegal strike will severely impact the future of the factory. If this continues Haldia may not be seen as a preferred industrial location in West Bengal," the statement added.