January 1-15, 2007

Support the just struggle of the Century mill workers to protect their livelihood!

Notwithstanding the closure of Century Mills, thousands of workers have not given up their struggle; they are not ready to accept that they must quietly accept VRS. Kamgar Ekta Chalval issued this statement in support of their struggle.

Brothers and Sisters,

Century Mills, one of Mumbai’s oldest mills, has stopped production since December 8 th, 2006. On December 6 th, a notice was put up by the Mill owner threatening the workers that if they did not take VRS by 12 th December 2006, then the Company would declare a lockout and would only pay them their legal dues. This was followed by armed police entering the factory and the goondas of the management under police protection harassing the workers and forcing them to take VRS. In addition the Union activists were either openly threatened with dire consequences to them and their families or offered large sums of money to take VRS.

Century Mills is a fully modernized Mill, which was exporting 90% of its production till a few years ago. But now the Mill owners are greedily eyeing the prospect of converting the mill land into posh commercial and residential complexes and reaping super profits.

It was in this situation that over 6000 workers were literally forced to take “voluntary” retirement. Those who have taken “voluntary “ retirement face an uncertain future, as is the case with workers in other mills as well as other industries.

However hundreds of workers, led by their Union, Sarva Shramik Sanghathana, have refused to be cowed down by the management's terror tactics and have refused to take VRS.

Since December 8 th, the once bustling Mill has become silent. All the looms and spindles and other equipment worth hundreds of crores of rupees are lying idle and rusting. This is a grave economic crime and a loss to the nation and the Birlas should be punished for the same.

At the same time the workers who through their sweat and blood have given life to the mill, whose sweat has oiled the machines which are now rusting in their absence, who have given life and limb (literally too, since many workers have lost fingers and suffered other accidents in keeping the machines running) to generate the huge profits of the Company, are being thrown on the streets for a miserable sum of money, as if they have absolutely no claim on the Mill.

Kamgar Ekta Chalwal and the workers of Century Mills demand that

1. The Mill should immediately start production with the workers who are currently employed, as well as those who want to come back and employ extra workers if required.
2. The Management should stop using terror tactics against the workers.
3. If the Birlas cannot run Century Mills, then they forfeit their claim to the mill land, the machines, buildings, raw materials etc.
4. The property of the Mills be taken over by Society and in the first place the workers of Century Mills.

Brothers and Sisters,

The fight of the Workers of Century Mills needs the support of all working people, all just and democratic minded people, organizations and political parties.

Let us all resolve to use all means to extend support to the fighting workers, including demonstrations, putting up candidates in the coming Municipal Corporation elections, demanding all political parties to take a stand against the closure of the Mills, etc.

An attack on one is an attack on all!

Workers Unity Zindabad!