The Comtrust Handloom Weaving Factory was closed down in Februay 2009 after it reportedly incurred heavy losses.
| Photo Credit: Ok. RAGESH
Brick by brick, a heritage construction within the coronary heart of Kozhikode metropolis overlooking the Mananchira water tank is falling into destroy.
Built within the nineteenth century by German Basel Missionaries, the now defunct Commowealth Trust (Comtrust) Handloom Weaving Factory, whose branded garments have been well-known the world over, is now left to the vagaries of climate. Parts of its buildings are collapsing and lots of of handlooms and machines there are decaying. Criminal parts are eyeing the premises for his or her actions as the federal government takeover of the establishment is getting indefinitely delayed.
E.C. Satheesan, common convener, Commonwealth Handloom Employees’ Joint Action Committee, instructed The Hindu on Thursday {that a} ‘satyagraha’ would start exterior the manufacturing unit premises from January first week, looking for pressing steps to save lots of the manufacturing unit. Cultural activists are anticipated to participate within the agitation.
The committee is a platform of commerce unions akin to All-India Trade Union Congress, Indian National Trade Union Congress, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and Swatantra Thozhilali Union, amongst others. Their different calls for embody conservation of the heritage constructions, fee of wage dues, appointment of a fee commissioner, and reopening of the manufacturing unit.
The firm, taken over by the British after the First World War and handed over to an Indian administration in 1976, was closed down in Februay 2009 after it reportedly incurred heavy losses. Though efforts have been made to promote the land, they have been dropped following stiff resistance from the staff. Finally, the State Assembly handed a Bill in 2012 to take over the manufacturing unit. The President’s assent was given in 2018, however the acquisition is but to be executed. The union functionaries claimed that despite the State Industrial Tribunal issuing an order in 2017 to supply wage and different advantages as a consequence of staff from 2009, they’re but to get them. Over one-and-a-half acres of land was offered within the meantime.
The union leaders stated the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation had given ₹5,000 a month to the 107 employees who have been on the rolls when the corporate was closed down. The members of the family of those that died and individuals who reached retirement age, nevertheless, should not getting the cash. A request has been submitted to Industries Minister P. Rajeeve to deal with the issues of staff.
Source: www.thehindu.com
