Himatsingka Group, one of the leading textile groups of India with a revenue of more than Rs. 2,250 crore, recently faced the heat of workers’ protest in its factory situated at Special Economic Zone in Hassan (Bangalore).
The workers were protesting against repeated harassment by their supervisors. However, the management has denied any worker been physically assaulted.
There were also salary issues which caused the workers to agitate.
After the agitation got violent, the company immediately called Hassan Police. In the clash with workers, few police officials were also injured due to stone pelting, which forced police to resort to lathi charge (mild caning), burst teargas and also open fire in the air.
Several agitating employees were later taken into custody by the police.
As per media reports, around 200 workers had taken permission to stage a protest outside the factory’s premises. Over 5,000 workers (mostly migrated) work at this factory and many of them too joined the protest.
Protesting workers shouted slogans against the management; however, after a few hours, the workers became violent when they realised that the management was not willing to address their issues.
The agitation took an ugly turn when workers started heavily damaging vehicles, computers and factory’s building.
“If we object, we are subjected to physical harassment. The factory does not pay the salaries properly. A few employees have gone missing. They should be traced. The factory management should come to the venue of the protest and clarify,…” Leading English daily Deccan Herald quoted a protesting worker.
Talking to Apparel Resources, Aditya Himatsingka, of the group, refused to comment on the issue. Meanwhile, the mid-level professionals of the factory shared that the production had got affected only for a day and is now back to normal.
Himatsingka, the vertically integrated group working with top brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and many more, is the world-renowned name in home furnishing.
We have sent a detailed mail to the company. As and when we receive any update from them, we will share here only.