'Sugar factory workers' future vague'

220 workers and their family in distress

Many workers joined the mega industry with great hopes in 1984. However, now they not only lost their jobs, but also were not paid for the past three years since its closure.

Though there were hopeful moves to rejuvenate the factory in 2008, it has not been materialised so far. Now those workers, who strive to meet both ends in life, are in anticipation about their future.

Though there are about 48 staff quarters for the factory workers, majority of them are all vacant. Only 13 families still are staying in the quarters even without water, electricity and other infrastructure with a hope of factory’s rejuvenation. Most of the families are striving to meet the education expenses of their children and for livelihood. Many of them are forced to work under daily wages and other small jobs.  

In 2008, the Ramani Group of Companies came forward to take over the company under lease agreement. However, the hopes of more than 220 workers went futile, when the company withdrew their decision. Later, an Andhra Pradesh based company too came forward to rejuvenate the factory this year.

They also had assured that the Rs 1.40 crore payment due to workers will be released. With this, the anticipation of workers doubled that they are still waiting eagerly for the reopening of the factory.
Though the plight of those workers is pathetic, neither the government nor the factory management pay heed to their grievances.