Fazilka, Punjab: Amid farmers advocating for an increase in the State Agreed Price (SAP) for sugarcane, employees from nine sugar mills across the state initiated an indefinite strike, pressing for the fulfillment of their stipulated demands, reported Tribune India.
On the premises of the Fazilka Central Cooperative sugar mills, a substantial number of employees, led by President Het Ram, orchestrated a protest today. The employees’ demands encompass the execution of the 6th Pay Commission recommendations, the regularization of contractual employees, and the provision of permanent employment for family members of deceased employees who had served in the mills.
Hardeep Singh Muggowal, President of the Punjab Raj Sehkari Khand Mills Workers’ Federation, expressed dissatisfaction, stating that despite multiple engagements with relevant officials, the government had not addressed their concerns. Muggowal highlighted a prior protest staged in front of the Sugarfed Punjab office in Chandigarh on October 31, which prompted the government to invite federation representatives for a meeting with the state Finance Minister on November 20.
Although the minister assured them that their demands would be met before the commencement of the crushing season, Muggowal claimed that the government had not taken any substantive actions. Consequently, employees have resolved to suspend work until their demands are acknowledged.
Muggowal emphasized that the protesters would obstruct the commencement of the crushing season unless their demands were accepted.
