1000 days of the ITI workers Struggle: Workers resolve to take forward the fight

The struggle of the ITI workers under the banner AICCTU against their illegal termination has reached the 1000th day. On 01 December 2021, the Management of ITI Ltd. had illegally refused employment to 80 workers for the sole reason that they had unionised and sought for their legitimate rights. The workers who were thrown out have been on a day and night protest outside the ITI gate from thereon, and the protest which continues today, is perhaps one of the longest working class struggles to have taken place in Karnataka. The struggle saw support from across sectors with other trade unions, Dalit organisations, farmer organisations, women's organisations coming together to stand with the workers.

The Management and Union entered into a settlement on 17 March 2022 as per which the Management agreed that 35 workers would be immediately taken back to work, and the remaining 45 workers would be taken thereafter. However, the Management of ITI Ltd. refused to implement the settlement. The Union had approached the Karnataka High Court in this regard in W.P. No. 9465/2022 and the Court passed judgement on 18.04.2023 directing that the settlement was binding on the Management and has required the Conciliation Officer to try and conciliate the difference between the Union and the Management. The workers have been protesting outside the ITI factory since December 2021 demanding that they be ensured their employment.

On 27th August, 2024, the workers once again resolved to take forward this fight. Shri P.P. Appanna, the State Secretary, AICCTU spoke about the shameful nature of the actions of ITI and reiterated the resolve to take the fight forward. Shri Muninanjappa, the Bangalore President of the Dalit Sangharsh Samithi spoke of how the ITI workers struggle has inspired workers from across the State to fight against anti-worker policies. Com. Nirmala, President BBMP Pourakarmikara Sangha, spoke about how the struggle of the ITI workers brought to the forefront the highly exploitative nature of the contract labour system, where workers are termed contract workers, despite working for decades and denied their rights.

The workers have resolved to take forward the struggle till their demands are met.