Sangrur: Workers at brick kilns may start a “pucca morcha”

A sizable dharna was held today outside the district administrative complex (DC Office) here by brick-kiln workers united under the banner of the Lal Jhanda Punjab Bhatha Mazdoor Union in protest of the state government’s failure to issue a notification for the implementation of new minimum wages starting in March 2024. Gurpreet Singh Tolawal, district president of the union, led them.

In addition to the notice, they demanded that labor rules be applied in full, both within the brick kilns and to the workers themselves, in order to guarantee EPF deductions and worker attendance. They also emphasized that their pay hasn’t been adjusted by the state government since 2012; otherwise, adjustments to pay are expected to be made every five years.

Tarsem Jodhan, the union’s state general secretary, said that the issue surrounding the union’s notice of requests could not be settled today. On the other hand, tomorrow at 11 a.m., a meeting between the labor department, brick kiln owners, and worker representatives is now scheduled. They would launch a “pucca morcha” outside the DC office building tomorrow if the issue is not handled at the meeting.

According to Jodhan, the workers have been instructed to bring food, clothing, and other necessities in case a “pucca morcha” has to be held here.