15% Bonus For Textile Workers
The Joint Action Council of Coimbatore and Erode District Textile Mill Workers’ Unions has sought a minimum of 15 per cent bonus for workers in large-scale textile mills. K.G. Jaganathan, secretary of the council, told that the two districts had over 700 textile mills. However, the number of permanent workers had declined in the units. Last year, the mills gave 8.33 to 27 per cent bonus (covering large, medium and small-scale units). Mills with more than 6,600 spindles were considered as organised sector units.The unions demanded 15 to 35 per cent bonus in these units and a maximum of 35 per cent in the small and medium-scale mills. “We have placed the demands to the mills and we are waiting for the response.” The talks, which would be unit-level, were expected to gain pace after Ayudha Puja.
The performance of the mills last year was not as sluggish as it was this year. Further, with the strength of the permanent workers also coming down, the unions expected the talks to conclude amicably in two or three rounds. Mr. Jaganathan added that the wage agreement for cooperative mill workers in the State was expected to be signed shortly. Following this, a similar agreement was likely to be signed for those working in the National Textile Corporation mills in the State.
