Durgapur, West Bengal, India
October 16, 2023
Image: A group of workers protesting outside the Durgapur Steel Plant
Workers at the Durgapur Steel Plant in West Bengal, India, are protesting against the implementation of a biometric attendance system , bonus, 39 month pending arrears and demanding the reinstatement of two suspended union leaders.
The protests, which began on Friday, October 14, have been led by seven major trade unions at the plant. The unions are alleging that the biometric attendance system is a violation of workers' privacy and that it could be used to track their movements. They are also demanding a bonus for the upcoming Durga Puja festival, as well as payment of 39 months of back wages.
On Friday, two union leaders, Simanta Chatterjee (CITU) and Sukanta Rakshit (HMS), were suspended for protesting against the biometric attendance system. Their suspension has further angered the workers, who are now demanding their reinstatement.
On Sunday, October 16, the workers continued their protests outside the plant's main gate. They have vowed to continue their protests until their demands are met.
The management of the Durgapur Steel Plant has not yet commented on the protests.
Analysis
The protests at the Durgapur Steel Plant are a sign of the growing discontent among workers in India over the increasing use of biometric attendance systems. Workers are concerned about the privacy implications of these systems and the potential for them to be used to track their movements and disciplinarily punish them.
The protests are also a reflection of the broader challenges facing the Indian economy. The country is facing a slowdown in economic growth and rising unemployment. This has led to a decline in the bargaining power of workers, who are now struggling to get their demands met.
The protests at the Durgapur Steel Plant are a reminder that the SAIL Management needs to do more to address the concerns of workers and to ensure that they have a decent standard of living.
