November 16 - 30, December 1-15, 2006

On November 2, 2006, workers of the Kamlapur Sugar Mills organised a powerful meeting at the gate of the mills. This followed the kidnapping and brutal assault on three leaders of the Union by goons of the management. They were kidnapped at 3 am, on the night of 27th-28th October, 2006, from the residential quarters of the Mill, brought to Lucknow and beaten up by hired goons on campus, on the way and at Lucknow. The workers resolved that they will step up their struggle in response to the attempt of the management to destroy their union by attacking their leaders.

The workers of Kamlapur Sugar Mill located in Sitapur District of U.P. have been waging a just struggle for their rights. Kamlapur Sugar Mill is owned by Ruia Group of Kolkata. The main demands include covering all workers under Wage Board benefits, start deduction of Provident Fund amount, issuing of pay slips, payment of retaining allowance, bonus and overtime to workers, granting of leave, hiring people from whom land was taken to build the factory in accordance with the initial commitment made to them.

Following an earlier struggle in April 2006, the management agreed to meet most of the demands of the workers but wanted a period of 6 months to set their house in order. It promised Wage Board facilities for all workers within 3 years. But before the end of six months period could end and before the Mill could retart for the new season on November 7, the Management has decided to adopt intimidation tactics to subjugate the Union.

MEL supports the just struggle of Kamlapur Sugar Mill workers.