Posters written in Odia language seek wage hike

SURAT: Posters written in Odia language, demanding a hike in wages, were pasted on walls and notice boards in Anjani Industrial Estate (AIE) near Amroli on Wednesday. In the past, similar posters had been put up.
On Wednesday, many workers did not turn up for work after a day's leave for Ganesha immersion.
The posters say the workers should demand a hike of 20 paise in wages per meter.The posters say that restaurants have increased monthly food bill by Rs 400. The posters say the attempt by the workers to demand a hike during Diwali fails as the unit owners go to their native places.
In the past, similar posters had led to closure of units in AIE. Around 800 textile weaving units operate in AIE and hundreds of workers from Odisha work there.
"Some anti-social elements put up such posters ahead of every festive season. Workers are not directly doing it,"' said a weaving unit owner.
In Nov 2022, similar posters had been put up in AIE and textile weaving clusters in Diamond Nagar of Laskana. Unit owners provided CCTV footage of those caught pasting the posters, but no arrest was made. This year, no CCTV footage is available.
"It is not clear if the units will start working from Thursday. The workers will return to work only after there is a clarity over the wages," said Vijay Mangukiya, president, AIE.