Team Herald
PONDA: Deputy Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar on Thursday assured to solve the pending ex-gratia and arrears of the confirmed employees of Sanjivani Sugar Factory.
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Following the Deputy Chief Minister’s assurance, the workers have temporarily withdrawn their strike until Monday.
During the meeting, Kavlekar assured to solve the ex-gratia issue before Ganesh Chaturthi and arrears demand after the festival. The workers threatened to continue their strike from Tuesday if the ex-gratia demand is not met by Monday.
It may be recalled that the confirmed employees of Sanjivani Sugar Factory on Wednesday went on a pen down/tool down strike inside the factory premises with regards to Sugar Wage Board’s pending arrears and ex-gratia of 2020-21.
The workers served a notice to factory administrator Chintamani Perni demanding that their dues be cleared before Ganesh Chaturthi. However, as the Agriculture Department failed to fulfil their demands they proceeded on strike on Wednesday.
Workers said since the factory’s inception they are deriving all benefits as per Maharashtra Sugar Wage Board Act. As per Sugar Factories Act, Sanjivani Employees receive ex-gratia eight days before Chaturthi each year. However, they complained of receiving very less payment compared to the government employees.
Since Sanjivani’s inception till date the governments and government-appointed administrator have been paying ex-gratia to the confirmed staff as per Maharastra Sugar Wage Board. However, the workers complained that their demand was not met citing provisions of Industrial Act due to which they are unhappy.
The workers’ second demand is pending arrears from April 2014 to March 2019. The protesters demanded a written assurance from the administrator and did not allow the official’s vehicle to move out of the factory.
