I.T.I Workers Struggle Completes One Year
On 1st December, 2021, the management of Indian Telephone Industries Ltd. (ITI) terminated 80 workers, largely Dalit and women, on the sole ground that they formed a union and are fighting for their legal rights. Since their termination from employment, the ITI workers have been protesting day and night at ITI Gate. It is one year since they began their continuous struggle seeking reinstatement, and the ITI Management has failed to reinstate the workers back into work. The workers have unionised under the Karnataka General Labour Union - ITI Workers Branch, affiliated with the All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU).
Among the 80 workers, there are those who have worked for three years, and those who have work experience of up to 30 years! They have all been involved in essential work of ITI. However, they have been labeled as contract labourers, were denied their basic rights, and now thrown to the streets.
The Minister for Communication Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, under whom ITI Ltd. falls, has issued a communication dated 28th April, 2022 that the workers would be taken back into work batch-by-batch. However, and much to the shock of the workers, the Management of ITI has refused to even heed to the words of their Minister!
The Management of ITI entered into a settlement with the Union to take the workers back into work, but refused to comply with the same. Instead, they approached the Karnataka High Court challenging the settlement. Simultaneously, the Union has also approached the High Court seeking that the workers be taken back into work. Adjudicating this matter, the High Court referred the matter for mediation, so as to reach an amicable resolution. However, the Management completely stonewalled the process even in the mediation and refused to reach a settlement.
On 1st December, 2022 workers of ITI who had been thrown out were joined by the Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS), various trade unions, civil society organisations, women's organization, student organisations who all assured their complete support to the struggle.
The ITI workers have resolved to continue their struggle until justice is met.
