Pune: Over 900 employees of the city-based Bharat Forge Limited protested at the assistant labour commissioner's office at Wakdewadi demanding fair wages and recognition of the workers' union by the company. The workers' families also participated in the demonstration.
The employees belong to the Bharat Forge Karmachari Sangathna, formed earlier in the year, which is registered with the state government as a trade union, but not recognized by the firm's management. Some of the employees say this lack of recognition is one of the reasons why the company discriminates against them in terms of wages and benefits.
"I have worked here for nearly 15 years. Presently I am an engineer in the officer grade. But my wage is lower than that of the workers of the shop floor as they belong to the recognized union," Sanjay Lawde, an employee, said.
The workers marched nearly 10km to Wakdewadi from the factory and handed over a memorandum to assistant labour commissioner P N Pawar.
"I am aware of the issues. There have been discussions in the past as well. I will speak to the management again, and try to work out a solution," Pawar said.
The union also demanded the reinstatement of the nine employees dismissed earlier due to "poor performance". The nine employees have now approached the labour court.
President of the sangathna K D Shinde said, "The nine employees were dismissed as they were not part of the officially recognized union, and not because of performance issues." Bharat Forge, however, denied the allegations.
The company also indicated that it is not prepared to recognize the new union. "The workmen of Bharat Forge Limited are organized under 'Bharat Forge Kamgar Sangh'. This is a registered and recognized union for the company's undertakings at Mundhwa by the industrial court. There cannot be two unions in one undertaking," a company statement read.
The employees belong to the Bharat Forge Karmachari Sangathna, formed earlier in the year, which is registered with the state government as a trade union, but not recognized by the firm's management. Some of the employees say this lack of recognition is one of the reasons why the company discriminates against them in terms of wages and benefits.
"I have worked here for nearly 15 years. Presently I am an engineer in the officer grade. But my wage is lower than that of the workers of the shop floor as they belong to the recognized union," Sanjay Lawde, an employee, said.
The workers marched nearly 10km to Wakdewadi from the factory and handed over a memorandum to assistant labour commissioner P N Pawar.
"I am aware of the issues. There have been discussions in the past as well. I will speak to the management again, and try to work out a solution," Pawar said.
The union also demanded the reinstatement of the nine employees dismissed earlier due to "poor performance". The nine employees have now approached the labour court.
President of the sangathna K D Shinde said, "The nine employees were dismissed as they were not part of the officially recognized union, and not because of performance issues." Bharat Forge, however, denied the allegations.
The company also indicated that it is not prepared to recognize the new union. "The workmen of Bharat Forge Limited are organized under 'Bharat Forge Kamgar Sangh'. This is a registered and recognized union for the company's undertakings at Mundhwa by the industrial court. There cannot be two unions in one undertaking," a company statement read.
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