The agitation by National Textile Corporation mill workers in Mumbai has intensified, with Watch and Ward employees from four mills joining a chain hunger strike. Organised by the Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh, the protest began on September 7 at NTC mill gates and centres on demands including reopening of mills, unpaid wages and statutory dues. Labour leader Sachin Ahir has also raised the workers’ concerns with Union ministers in Delhi. The dispute involves six NTC mills in Maharashtra, including four in Mumbai and others in Achalpur and Barshi.
NTC Mill Workers’ Agitation Reaches Decisive Stage as Watch and Ward Staff Join Hunger Strike
The NTC mill workers’ agitation in Mumbai has entered a crucial phase, with Watch and Ward employees joining the chain hunger strike amid demands for reopening, unpaid wages and statutory dues.
The Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh-organised NTC mill workers’ agitation has entered a decisive phase, with the chain hunger strike continuing at closed mills.
More than 25 days have passed since workers began their chain hunger strike at NTC mill gates on September 7, demanding resolution of longstanding employment-related grievances.
The agitation has now intensified after Watch and Ward employees from all four Mumbai mills joined the protest following an appeal from Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh.
The participation of security personnel has reportedly heightened concerns among senior officials from Mumbai to Delhi regarding the security and operational condition of the closed mills.
Sachin Ahir raises NTC workers’ concerns in Delhi
Labour leader and Deputy Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Sachin Ahir, met Union Ministers in Delhi soon after assuming his new post.
During those meetings, Sachin Ahir reportedly drew the Central Government’s attention towards the continuing difficulties faced by NTC mill workers across Maharashtra.
The dispute concerns six NTC mills under Central Government jurisdiction in Maharashtra, including four mills in Mumbai and additional mills located at Achalpur and Barshi.
According to the supplied information, 23 NTC mills across the country remain closed following shutdowns associated with the COVID pandemic, creating prolonged uncertainty for workers.
The source material states that the mills were closed during the lockdown in the wake of the COVID pandemic in 2002; this year reference appears inconsistent and requires official verification.
Workers demand reopening rather than wages for idleness
According to the workers’ union, the affected mills have not restarted during the past five years, while employees have allegedly remained without wages for the last twelve months.
The prolonged stoppage has reportedly created severe financial distress among workers, with families facing difficulties involving household expenses, children’s marriages and continuation of education.
The Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh has organised several protests over the issue and has also approached both the Industrial Court and the High Court.
According to the union’s account, judicial proceedings resulted in decisions favouring the workers, but the management has allegedly not implemented the relevant court directions.
The workers maintain that their primary demand is not payment for remaining idle, but restoration of employment through reopening of the mills and resumption of regular operations.
They are also demanding that the twelve-month period without wages end and that outstanding legal and statutory dues, including last year’s gratuity, be paid.
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Four Mumbai mills become centres of chain hunger strike
The ongoing chain hunger strike is being conducted at four closed NTC mills: Tata, Indu Mill Number Five, Poddar and Digvijay, according to the union.
The protest had reached its 27th day at the time of the supplied report, marking another significant stage in the workers’ campaign for reopening.
During Monday’s weekly meeting, General Secretary Govindrao Mohite appealed to Watch and Ward employees across the NTC mills to participate in the ongoing agitation.
Following Govindrao Mohite’s appeal, Watch and Ward workers reportedly joined the protest in large numbers, adding a new dimension to the continuing labour dispute.
Their participation has increased attention surrounding security arrangements at the closed mills, particularly amid concerns raised by officials regarding protection of premises and assets.
NTC mill dispute moves towards a crucial phase
The latest developments indicate that the NTC workers’ dispute is no longer limited to wage-related grievances, but increasingly centres on employment, reopening and implementation of legal dues.
For the workers and their families, the prolonged closure has significant social and economic consequences, particularly where delayed wages affect education, marriages and basic household stability.
The immediate focus remains on whether the NTC management and Central Government will engage with the workers’ representatives and identify a legally sustainable solution.
The Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh’s continuing agitation, supported by Watch and Ward employees, is therefore likely to remain under close scrutiny in Mumbai and Delhi.
As the protest enters this crucial phase, further developments will depend on management’s response, government intervention and implementation of applicable judicial and statutory obligations.
Sprouts News will continue to track developments concerning the NTC mills, the workers’ demands, government intervention and the ongoing chain hunger strike based on official and verifiable information.
