Joint trade union action: Garment workers dharna against illegal closure of Unitex Exports

Women workers of Unitex Exports and the Garment and Fashion Workers Union will be joined by leaders from NTUI, AITUC, AICCTU, AIUTUC, BMS, HMS, CITU and LPF to protest against the illegal closure of Unitex Exports, a garment export factory in Ambattur, Chennai. The protest will take place outside the factory at Ambattur Industrial Estate from 10am onwards on 16th February 2012(Thursday)

Unitex Exports, which has been in operation since 1986 employs more than 120 workers and was shut down on 1st November 2011 without any prior information to th government or the union. Workers are calling upon the labour administration and the government to intervene and ensure that the Unitex management is brought to justice and directed to immediately pay wages.

The factory which supplies to brands in Europe and US, has left more than hundred families with an uncertain future. The management of Unitex Exports has failed to come forward for any negotiation with the workers union at the conciliation proceedings before the Assistant Commissioner of Labour for the past month and subsequently the Joint Commissioner of Labour and the District Sub Collector. Many of the workers have been working in the factory for more than 25 years on an average salary of Rs.3500 per month.

Moreover, the management had not remitted Rs. 37 lakhs of the provident fund deducted from workers for the past three years. After concerted struggle by the workers, the Provident Fund Authority have finally taken notice and attached the property of the company. Workers have been facing other violations including arbitrary delays in the payment of wages, non provision of ESI cards, etc. Many workers who have resigned the company have also not received their gratuity and other dues.
For more than 3 months now, workers have been sitting inside the factory compound and demanding justice. The owner of the factory Mr.Radhakrishnan had previously closed down two other factories in a similar manner and failed to settle workers due.

Unitex workers demands:
  1. The factory that was shut down illegally must be opened at once and all workers provided work.
  2. Wages must also be given to all workers until such time.
  3. The management must immediately come forward to participate in the conciliation proceedings and recognise the Garment and Fashion Workers Union as the sole representative of the workers.
  4. Provident fund dues and gratuity to workers who have resigned in the past few years must be paid immediately.
  5. Criminal action must be taken against Mr.Radhakrishnan for his illegal activities.