BEML employees denied entry for attempting gate meeting

Union meeting defies office timings, administration says no entry, no food

The BEML Employees’ Coordinating Team called for a gate meeting at 7 am outside the main entrance of the factory. It was a meeting of the employee union leaders pressing for a fulfilment of demands.

The administration of BEML, however, had ruled that attendance had to be marked by 7.15 am. A notice was given that employees not coming into the factory even by 8 am would be denied entry and also the afternoon meal.
The meeting of the union leaders ended only by 9.15 am. When thousands of employees tried to enter the premises of the factory the security guards closed the factory gates and placed a barrier in front of it.

Angered, the employees started shouting slogans against the administration. Also, since the road in front of the BEML factory was occupied by the employees, traffic movement proved difficult. 

The employees went up to BEML Division Circle Inspector Mumtaz Ahmed and insisted that he pressurise the administration to let them into the factory.
 The administration, however, remained steadfast. They denied entry and also lunch in the afternoon. Entry was permitted only after 10.45 am.

Intensify fight
The BEML employee union leaders declared on Wednesday that they would intensify the fight against the administration that is denying the employees their demands.
Employee Union president Ram Mohan spoke during the gate meeting and said the administration is adopting the policy of ‘divide and rule’. But their game will not continue any further. KGF, Bangalore and Mysore division Employee Unions will unite and ensure that their demands are met, he added.

The employees are not forcing the company incur debts in order to give them facilities, Ram Mohan insisted and asked why the administration cannot be quick in deciding to give the employees their share in the company’s profits.
He added that the demands of the BEML employees will be an important part of the All India Public Sector Bund to be held on September 7.

Appoint workers
The company is not appointing employees for production work. Instead it is employing new security guards, who are only a burden for the company, complained Ram Mohan.
The employees are ready to make any sacrifice for the sake of the company. But the company is harassing the employees for the past 30 years to produce the latest kinds of vehicles. He added that the administration should purchase modern machinery to alleviate the work burden of its employees.

He said there are two administration centres, at Bangalore and at KGF. He also regretted that while the people trying to negotiate with them have no authority to do so, while the people with authority refuse to speak to the employees.  
DH News Service