People's Democracy

Tripartite Talks Fold Up

INTRANSIGENCE of the jute mill management torpedoed the tripartite talks organised to end the jute mill strike. The management would not agree to any of the demands of the TUs. On the other hand, they broached a six-point proposal that contained among other things, the shifting of the onus of responsibility on the shoulders of the workers on the two vital points viz., quality measurement of raw jute, and maintenance of the mill machinery. The management also proposed outsourcing to be put in place. The management insisted that the minimum wage for a trained mill hand would be Rs 100 per day while the TUs have already called for a minimum wage of Rs 170.

The TUs are gearing up for a long struggle until their demands are met. A convention was held in Kolkata to chalk out the preliminary schedule of the struggle ahead. 17 big rallies would be held across the districts of south Bengal including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, and the two 24 Parganas, south and north.