Uttarakhand Zydus Employees’ March against Illegal Lockdown

On 30 November, hundreds of workers of Zydus  under the banner of Zydus Wellness Employees Union (AICCTU) marched to the Uttrakhand Vidhansabha against the illegal lockout at company's Sitarganj production facility in the state. Zydus Wellness is an Indian consumer goods company and produces household goods like Glucon-D, Sugar Free, Complan and Nycil. The unit was closed by the company in the name 'manufacturing and supply chain network optimisation exercise', leaving hundreds of workers out of job.

The workers have been protesting outside the Zydus manufacturing facility since past 166 days demanding state government intervention against the illegal lockout by the management and violation of labour rights.

KK Bora, secretary of AICCTU Uttarakhand noted that the “Zydus, which is well known Indian brand is trying to take away the livelihood of workers under the false pretext of losses despite the fact that company’s Q1 (April-June) net profit increased by 4.75% at Rs 137.01 crore for the year 2022. The unit closure at Sitarganj is just excuse to retrench workers to ensure super profit for the company, and such move is illegal.”

The protest by the Zydus workers forced the government, that was long ignoring the demands of the workers to intervene in the issue. On November 30, the government issued an order declaring the the lockout at Sitarganj was illegal under the labour laws.

The Zydus workers have demanded that the Zydus must comply with the order and remove its illegal lockout. Further, all the employees must be taken back and the pending wages and other benefits must be paid by the management.