The Hindu : Karnataka News : ‘Management and workers need to come to the table'

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Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010
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Karnataka

‘Management and workers need to come to the table'

Correspondent

Solaris ChemTech workers' strike enters 48th day

Karwar: Preetam Masurakar, who acted as an emissary between the striking workers of Solaris ChemTech and the company's management has said that the problem could not be solved because of the rigid stance taken by both sides.

The strike entered the 48th day on Monday. Mr. Masurakar had told presspersons here on Sunday that the future of the families of the workers was at stake. He said he had met the top management of the company 26 times and tried to find a way out. Some leaders who are trying to gain political mileage from the issue were the main hurdle in solving the problem, he claimed.

During negotiations, he said that he came across several genuine problems of the workers. The factory had 1,200 workers when it started operations 30 years ago. It now has only 226, and new recruitments are not taking place.

The workers had demanded a 2 per cent share in the company's profit, and as the factory had not suffered a loss even once in the last 30 years, it was not too much to ask of the management, he said.

Other side

The management, in its defence, has said that the cost of production is more than the selling price of caustic soda. And because the workers had approached the tribunal, there was no scope for negotiation. The management refused to hold any talks with workers on this ground, he said.

Mr. Masurakar requested that the workers and management hold a meeting under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner and find a solution.

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