[Reader-list] OCCUPATION STRIKE at ASTI factory

[Asit Das]

*ASTI Theka Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti*

UPDATE: *9th December 2014*


*OCCUPATION STRIKE at ASTI factory this morning by permanent workers Union
inside and contract workers at the gate. Huge deployment of police force in
the factory premises and at the gate continues to increase. Workers Unions
from Maruti Suzuki Manesar, Suzuki Powertrain, Suzuki Motorcycle, Omax
Auto, Satyam Auto, Endurance have already come to the factory gate in
solidarity, while other workers and Unions are fast joining us.*


In the morning, one of the contractors Sandeep, slapped and harassed
Pratap, the ASTI Employees Union President, in an argument over why the
permanent workers Union have done black-badging yesterday and done
lunch-boycott day before in support of the contract workers on dharna at
the factory gate. All permanent workers inside the plant struck work in a
sit-in inside the factory now.


Yesterday, while the Gurgaon Labour Inspector Ishwar Singh Hooda came to
coax and force us to call off the fast-unto-death, but all the workers
unitedly refused and resolved to continue with 15thday of fast-unto-death
today and 39th day of dharna at the factory gate. One woman worker on
hunger strike, *Bhavna has been hospitalized today*, while the
administration continues with their adamanant anti-worker attitude.


In the meeting with the ALC (Additional Labour Commissioner) Gurgaon
yesterday, Workers Unions members from ASTI Electronics, Munjal Kiriu (who
are themselves on strike since 24th September 2014), Maruti Suzuki Manesar,
Maruti Suzuki Gurgaon, Suzuki Powertrain, Suzuki Motorcycles, Autofit
Dharuhera, Endurance Manesar, Baxter Manesar, Hero Honda Manesar went with
us in solidarity. Representatives from civil society from Delhi like PUDR
also came in soldarity. But under pressure from and acting as the
management's hands who asked for three more days, the Labour deparetment
gave no concrete assurance.


Today's solidarity strike action by the permanent workers have enthused us
that our struggle is not in vain and that it is part of the common struggle
of all workers across divisions and factories in the industrial belt!


Theka Pratha Murabad!
Inqlab Zindabad!


*ASTI Theka Mazdoor Sangharsh Samiti*

Contact: Shivani and Raghuvender (9555671885)




For a recent report in The Hindu, please see: Contract Workers Refuse to
Take Pink Slip and Move Away
<http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/contract-workers-refuse-to-pick-the-pink-slip-and-move-away/article6661759.ece>

For earlier updates and to contribute to the struggle, please see: here
<http://sanhati.com/articles/11947/> and here
<http://kafila.org/2014/12/03/days-and-nights-in-manesar-reflecting-on-the-asti-workers-struggle-anshita-arya/>
.