“Workers at Motherson plant in southern India mount indefinite strike for decent food, better conditions”, 11 August 2021

220 of the..permanent workers at the Motherson Automotive Technologies and Engineering (MATE) plant in Sriperumbudur..launched an indefinite strike... They are demanding improved working conditions, including quality meals and proper tea and toilet breaks.

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The strikers are demanding edible, worm-free food, including for night shift workers, who have been given tea and biscuits instead of meals. They are also calling for the withdrawal of disciplinary action against workers who have been victimized for demanding better quality food, 30 minute breaks for nightshift workers after four hours on the job, and tea breaks.

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The Maoist Left Trade Union Centre (LTUC), which operates at the plant, felt obliged to endorse the permanent workers’ strike to maintain a degree of credibility among the rank-and-file..

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Instead, the union has limited the strike to permanent workers, thereby enabling MATE to continue operating the plant using some 1,200 contract and trainee workers...

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The LTUC is refusing to call for the reinstatement of 51 permanent workers and 28 trainees who were terminated. The union has also failed to call for a significant pay raise for permanent and contract workers from the poverty-level wages they currently receive.