On 11/11/2020 as usual workers were entering the factory for work. At around 8.55 am a few people came by auto, stood in front of our gate and stopped our workers from entering the factory. They asked the workers to protest asking for a hike in wages and a few other demands...

[W]e pay all workers applicable legal wages fixed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, where the factory is located. Based on their skill, many of our workers are paid wages higher than the specified wages. Apart from the wages workers get all the statutory benefits...

We have works committee with well-trained members who understand their rights & responsibilities. The works committee looks into all the complaints of workers and we have generally not had any issues unresolved. We also have a third party NGO to look into the grievances of workers...

Our company finances do not permit any increments during this pandemic period. Further, if we agree to a pay hike of 80-85% we will have to close the factory because the entire operation becomes unviable... Workers, right from the start, have made transport arrangements on their own as the factory is situated on the main road which is very reachable from the surrounding areas... We have a canteen facility that is well maintained & subsidized, but most of the workers are bringing their lunch from their home... Excess workload has not been imposed on the workers since average efficiency is only 50% to 60%...

There is no protest outside our factory since the last few workers started attending work from Saturday, 21st November, 2020. By discussing with the workers we were able to apprise them of the challenges the industry is going through at present. The best way to resolve issues is through discussions in the factory committees we have...

[The full response is attached]