Even as the government remains indecisive on the future of the State-run Anglo-French Textile Mills here, the mill management has extended the leave for the workers up to April 15, citing financial crunch. The workers are worried about their future as this kind of an attitude by the mill management is indicative of a lock out.
“In this situation the government should include representatives of workers for discussions and then come up with a solution,” says G Muthamizhagan, general secretary of the Joint Action Committee of the AFT mills.
Closure of the mills cannot be accepted as around 1,500 families are dependent on the mill for their livelihood. Already workers are hit due to non-payment of wages, said Muthamizhagan. Also workers have contributed two months salary as share capital to the mill to help the management to run the mill. Now it is not proper on the part of the mill management to cite financial constraints and stop paying salary and plan for a lock out, says Muthamizhagan.
The trade union leader said that Chief Minister N Rangasamy in his election manifesto had promised to modernise the mill and provide employment to youth in the mill. Even in the All India NR Congress conference he had promised to run the mill effectively. Now moving away from it and heading towards lock out cannot be accepted, says Muthamizhagan.
“If the government goes for a lock out, all the workers along with their families would resort to mass protest,” he said.