JUSTICE FOR RETRENCHED MINE WORKERS OF BELLARY

Hundreds of mine workers took to the streets in Bellary in a massive protest organized by Bellary Zilla Gani Karmikara Sangha affiliated to the AICCTU, demanding immediate action from the government to provide housing, re-employment, and full rehabilitation. The protest began with a rally from Moti Circle and culminated in the submission of a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner. The Deputy Commissioner has assured the protesting workers that a meeting would be called to discuss the issue of retrenched mine workers. 

In July, 2011 with orders of the Supreme Court, more than 25,000 workers were thrown to the streets. The mine owners used the pretext of the Supreme Court orders to further deny workers their statutory rights pertaining to dismissal, retrenchment and compensation. While mine-owners had made great profits between 2003 to 2011, workers, who had not been paid even minimum wages, were thrown to the streets all of a sudden without any recourse, and denied any statutory process and benefits that accrue under law. The workers who were primarily from neighbouring villages were largely from Dalit, minority and other vulnerable communities, with a large number of workers being women. 

While steps are being taken for the rehabilitation of the environment, these workers and their families, who are thrown to the streets have been completely ignored. Earlier, a Padhyatra was carried out by thousands of mine-workers who walked 70 kms from Sandur to Bellary from 11th to 13th October, 2022 demanding rehabilitation and re-employment of workers. Despite repeated promises, the government has failed to ensure basic rights and rehabilitation for the affected workers. Bellary Zilla Gani Karmikara Sangha demands that immediate steps be taken to ensure the rehabilitation and re-employment of all mine-workers.