The State Government on Thursday declared the continuous lockout at Adhunik Mettaliks limited (AMl), Kuarmunda illegal. A notice to this effect was issued by labour and ESI department Under Secretary M Natak. Following the decision of the Government the workers community congregated at Sector-13 ground on Friday reiterating their demand for reopening the company soon.
It may be noted that without any prior notice and clearing the salaries of workers for last four months the AMl management declared lockout of company from February 13. Since then the workers led by CITU has been fighting against the unfortunate decision. Workers urged the Government to ensure reopening of the company earlier to avoid Orind like situation in Sundargarh where labourers are still dying in starvation. Neither its authority is opening the factory nor paying the arrears and other statutory benefits of the workers rather the company chief has been roaming scot free. The agitating workers also demanded that the State Government take exemplary action against the company authorities for the illegality.