NTC workers on one-day fast; strike enters 12th day

As part of their indefinite strike demanding bonus settlement, workers of seven textile mills attached to National Textile Corporation in Tamil Nadu today observed one-day fast in their respective mills, even as the strike entered the 12th day.
  
According to CITU sources, on an average 150 to 200 workers were sitting in front of each mill on fast, as decided by the Joint Action Council (JAC) of major textile trade unions after six rounds of talks failed to yield a solution over the issue of bonus which should have been disbursed before Diwali.
  
JAC blamed NTC management for its 'adamant' attitude even in paying the minimum bonus as per Bonus Act and attendance incentives as suggested by senior Labour department officials, but management said these mills were not making profits.
  
There are about 5,500 workers, including 3,500 permanent ones, in these mills, with Coimbatore alone having five mills.
   
JAC has sought the intervention of chief minister M Karunanidhi to sort out the issue, since he had announced and distributed 20% bonus to State public undertakings. The council has also planned to take out a procession and stage a demonstration on October 27.