Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 16: Jammu West, MLA, Arvind Gupta, visited the protesting employees of the pencil factory at Talab Tillo, which was gutted in a fire last month, and assured them that their rights would be fully protected and justice ensured.
Gupta held detailed interactions with the workers, mostly women, and patiently heard their grievances. The employees informed him that the factory management had issued notices on April 11 declaring closure of the unit, leaving nearly 350 workers-about 100 permanent and 250 casual-without jobs overnight.
The workers shared that permanent employees were drawing salaries of around Rs 24,000 per month, while casual labourers earned nearly Rs 9,500. Many of them have served the factory for over three decades and are now facing severe financial uncertainty.
They also informed the MLA that the factory management has credited a small amount of money into some employees’ accounts, but said the amount is negligible and does not meet their rightful entitlements. The workers stressed that as per labour laws, they are entitled to full and proper settlement, including pension benefits, gratuity, pending wages, and other dues, which are yet to be cleared.
Addressing the protesting workers, Gupta gave a firm assurance that they will not be abandoned at any cost. He stated that every affected employee will receive their rightful dues and that no injustice will be allowed. “Those who have given 30-35 years of their lives to this factory deserve dignity and security. Their hard work cannot be ignored,” he said.
Emphasizing the plight of women workers, who form a majority of the workforce, Gupta termed the situation as deeply concerning. He pointed out that at a time when women empowerment is being emphasized at the national level, such incidents of workers being rendered jobless without safeguards must be addressed with urgency.
Gupta immediately took up the issue with the district administration and assured the workers that he will personally meet the Deputy Commissioner Jammu and other concerned officials, including the Labour Department and Sales Tax authorities, to push for immediate intervention. He said written representations will also be submitted to ensure swift action.
Gupta stressed that all provisions under labour laws must be strictly implemented, including payment of gratuity, pension benefits where applicable, and fair compensation to both permanent and casual workers.
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