Eighty employees of a private firm at Whitefield protested before the Labour Commissioner’s office on Wednesday, after the company allegedly prevented them from forming an employees union and dismissed them on April 23.
Joint Secretary of CITU and Saint Gobain Crystal Employees Association, S Murthy, said they formed a small union in 2012 and now employees were discussing forming a bigger union.
“The employer was not happy with that and asked 80 people to leave the company. We need a bigger union so that our demands for better wages, security and setting up of a sexual harassment cell can be addressed”, he said.
Another employee, C A Reshma, alleged that pregnant women were made to stay back even after regular working hours.
“Further, there is no proper rest room and over-time payment that has to be paid on the basis of gross salary is paid on the basic salary,” she alleged.
The Labour Commissioner said the allegations will be investigated and if found true, action will be initiated against the concerned.
The Relationship Manager of the firm was not available for comment.
Additional Commissioner of Labour, J T Jinkalappa, said a deputy labour commissioner has been asked to probe the matter.
Deputy Labour Commissioner B Sripad said a case has been filed as per the Industrial Disputes Act and it is now pending before the court.
“Both the parties have to wait for the outcome. However, the employees can work for now and can wait for the court’s order to decide the next course of action,” he added.