A sudden strike by textile weaving workers in Surat's prominent Bamroli industrial area brought operations at nearly 150 units to a standstill on Friday. The protest was sparked by the death of a worker outside an industrial society, which quickly escalated into a larger movement demanding a wage hike.
Death of a Colleague Ignites Protest
The industrial action began after workers gathered following the tragic death of their colleague. While initial reports indicate the death was due to health issues, the incident served as a catalyst for long-standing grievances over wages. An estimated 30 workers initially assembled, but the protest rapidly gained momentum as laborers from other weaving units joined in solidarity.
Strike Spreads Across Major Units
The strike wave quickly engulfed key industrial players in the area, including Krishan Industries, Hariom Industries, and Shlok Industries. The scale of the protest, involving workers from nearly 150 units, prompted immediate concern from unit owners. Fearing potential escalation, they alerted local police authorities, requesting increased patrolling to prevent any coercion of non-striking workers or damage to property.
A weaving unit owner explained the sequence of events, stating that the workers had congregated after their colleague's passing. "They then decided to go on strike demanding a wage hike," he said, highlighting how the incident unified the workforce around the core issue of compensation.
Negotiations Underway, Police on Alert
By Friday evening, a partial resumption was seen as some units managed to restart operations. However, the majority remained shut as discussions continued. A representative group of textile unit owners is actively engaged in talks with the workers to find a resolution and restore normalcy. There is hope that units may be restarted by Saturday morning if an agreement is reached.
The local police have confirmed their active role in monitoring the situation. A police official stated, "Patrolling was provided after the strike call. We are keeping a close watch on the situation." This underscores the authorities' efforts to maintain order while the industrial dispute is being resolved between the owners and the workforce.
