The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Wage talks fail, utensil workers’ strike continues

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Tuesday, Apr 08, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Wage talks fail, utensil workers’ strike continues

Staff Reporter

Workers demand weight-based wages, an increase of 10 per cent

Photo: M. Balaji

For a solution: Discussion held in Tirupur on Monday between trade union leaders and office-bearers of Utensil Manufacturers Association of Tirupur. –

TIRUPUR: The sixth round of wage talks between utensil manufacturers and trade unions failed to reach a consensus on Monday.

The manufacturers’ associations have agreed for a 10 per cent increase in wages. But the unions want weight based wages instead of the number of pieces undertaken.

Production of utensils at around 200 units at Anupparpalayam on the outskirts of Tirupur has stopped for the last two weeks.

The 2,000-odd workers of these units are demanding 50 per cent increase in wages and a change in calculation of wages based on the weight of the utensil produced.

Major centre

For years, Tirupur has been one of the major manufacturing centres of utensils in the region.

“In the last three agreements we agreed for 7 per cent raise in wages. But this time, considering the rise in price of essentials, we are demanding a 10 per cent increase,” B. Manoharan, treasurer of manufacturers association said.

Mr. Manoharan said that for the last 30 years, the wages are based on the number of utensils produced irrespective of the weight.

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