Hutti Gold Mine Workers to Protest Against Delayed Wage Revision

Workers from Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited (HGML) –  a Government of Karnataka undertaking – are planning to stage a demonstration, seeking revised wages. A 14-day deadline has been given to the management via a notice that says that if the management fails to revise the wages, the workers will launch an agitation from November 23 to 27.

Nearly 1,500 workers from HGML, the only producer of primary gold in the country, will stage day and night protests in different shifts, ensuring smooth functioning of the unit during the agitation. If the management is not ready to fulfil the demands of the workers even after the five-day token strike, the workers plan to proceed with an indefinite strike, boycotting work.

“Since the wage settlement has been overdue for more than one year and eight months, the workers are forced to go on strike,” said VJK Nair of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), who closely works with the mine workers.  

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The previous five-year wage agreement between the management and the labourers, which had been signed in the presence of regional labour commissioner, Ballari, a central government officer, ended on March 31, 2016. This tripartite agreement had been formulated under Section 12(3) read with 18(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act.

Contesting the management’s claim that they are making all the efforts to meet the demands, the workers have pointed out that they have been putting forward the demand charter since April 1, 2016.

“Actually, they are processing about one kilogram of gold a day, which means 30 kg per month. One kg of gold fetches Rs 30 lakh. Unlike any other product, you don’t need to sell it since the extract here itself is money,” said Nair.

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As per the information provided by the trade union leader, the total wage for the workforce is less than 10 per cent of the profit of the company. “If we include all the other expenditure, it would be 15 per cent maximum, and it is clear that the company is making a lot of money. The workers have been demanding only a 20 per cent hike in their existing salaries,” said Nair, adding that CITU demands an increase of 25 per cent instead of 20 per cent.  

“CITU has also put forth the demand of bonus for the workers. Right now, the workers are paid one instalment of money based on their wage instead of the rightful bonus,” he claimed.

Other than CITU, trade unions including All India Central Council of Trade Unions (AICCTU) and Trade Union Centre of India have extended their support to the workers’ struggle.

At present, HGML operates two units; one is the Hutti Gold Unit (HGU) in Raichur district, and the other one is the Chitradurga Gold unit (CGU) in Chitradurga district with an operating mine at Ajjanalli, which is in Tumkur district. Among these, HGU is a fully integrated unit with capacity to produce 5,50,000 tonnes of gold per annum.

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