Haldwani: : Industrial workers’ protest spread to Uttarakhand’s Haldwani on Monday as over 500 workers of Mothaldu-based Motherson factory on the Bareilly road staged a protest over alleged exploitation, long and grueling work shifts, and sub-standard food at company canteens.Tension prevailed as a heavy police force was deployed to maintain law and order at the multinational company, which specializes in manufacturing wiring harnesses for the automobile industry.Employees alleged that they were forced to work in 12-hour shifts instead of the standard eight hours without adequate compensation. Female workers said they often faced verbal abuse from the management and were restricted from taking basic breaks for water or using the washroom.Alleging that sub-standard food was provided at the company canteen, the workers said “undercooked rice and pest-infested food” were the norm.There were allegations that the workers were ferried on poorly maintained company buses.The protesters submitted a 14-point demand charter to the administration, including a minimum monthly wage of ₹20,000, immediate reinstatement of recently terminated colleagues, and full payment for overtime at double the standard rate.“Our basic salary is ₹12,500, but after deductions, we take home ₹10,000 to ₹11,000,” said a worker, adding, “The management cuts our pay if we are slightly late for work, and stops tea and lunch breaks if targets aren’t met.”Following negotiations facilitated by deputy labor commissioner Kamal Joshi, the company accepted 12 of the 14 demands. Subhash Tiwari, HR at the Mothaldu plant, said wage hike would be done once the official government order (GO) is out.Meanwhile, social activist Piyush Joshi, who participated in the peaceful demonstration, alleged that inspector Harpal Singh grabbed him by the neck, physically assaulted him and threatened him of bodily harm.SP (City) Manoj Kumar Katyal told TOI that Nainital SSP Manjunath TC has taken cognizance of the matter and directed the SP (crime and traffic), Jagdish Chandra, to conduct a thorough investigation.
