The workers of the Balasore Alloys pressing for demands including opening of the plant and release of salary for 8 months, on Friday laid siege to the main gate of collectorate here.
The agitators not only blocked the entry of the Government officials but picketed at the main road that connects the Fandi Chhak to the Town police station via the District Headquarters Hospital.
The picketing was called off after district Collector K Sudarshan Chakravarthy assured the agitators that he had convened a high level meeting with the company officials where the opening of the unit as well as salary part would be discussed.
Union leader Premanjan Patra who headed the agitation said the company production was stalled for eight months; so salaries for these months were not given to the employees both permanent, contractual and casuals. Consequently, the workers are facing a tough situation. They have failed to deposit their EPF and ESI money, Patra added.
About 2,500 workers while were engaged during the operation period of the plant about 30,000 people indirectly depended on the plant.
They are facing acute financial hardship especially during the Covid pandemic period, said Patra.
He further said that previous two rounds discussions which were held on October 28 and November 24 among the unions, management and the district administration proved futile even though the company officials assured to resume production and clear salary arrears in a phased manner.