BMS Flags Labour Unrest in Manesar, Noida

New Delhi, Apr 14 (PTI) The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) on Tuesday expressed concern over recent incidents of labour unrest in the industrial belts of Manesar and Noida, urging all stakeholders to undertake immediate corrective measures, including ensuring fair wage practices.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-affiliate said the current unrest reflects genuine concerns of workers but condemned what it termed "irresponsible actions" that have led to the escalation of the situation.

"It is equally important to acknowledge that the current unrest reflects genuine concerns of workers. Issues such as wage disparities within similar industrial clusters, rising cost of living, excessive contractualisation and lack of effective grievance-redressal mechanisms have contributed to dissatisfaction.

"When these concerns are ignored or delayed, they inevitably manifest in unrest," BMS general secretary Surendra Kumar Pandey said in a statement.

"However, there are indications that certain vested interests and external elements have attempted to misguide workers and provoke disruption. Such actions are against the ethos of disciplined trade unionism and cannot be justified," Pandey added.

The BMS said workers' legitimate demands must not be hijacked by disruptive forces.

"Violence, damage to property and breakdown of industrial discipline ultimately harm workers' own interests and weaken the cause of labour justice," Pandey was quoted as saying in the statement.

The BMS also called on industry to undertake immediate corrective measures, including ensuring fair wage practices and reducing undue reliance on contract labour.

"It is essential to ensure fair wage practices, reduce unjustified dependence on contract labour, and establish transparent and continuous dialogue mechanisms. Industrial relations must be built on trust, not merely compliance," Pandey said.


He said the government must act with both balance and firmness while addressing the situation.

"While strict action should be taken against those indulging in violence or instigation, equal seriousness must be shown in addressing violations by industries, including non-compliance with labour laws and denial of rightful benefits.

"The government must also strengthen tripartite mechanisms to resolve disputes before they reach flashpoints," Pandey said.

The BMS called upon all stakeholders to act responsibly to maintain industrial peace and economic stability.

"The immediate priority must be to restore normalcy, initiate constructive dialogue and institutionalise redressal mechanisms that prevent recurrence. Workers' rights must be protected, but always through disciplined, organised and constructive means," Pandey said, adding that a uniform wage structure across the country is neither practical nor economically sustainable.

Unrest was reported in Noida on Monday, where protests by factory workers demanding a salary hike turned violent in several areas, including Phase-2, Sector 60, Sector 62 and Sector 84.

Workers from multiple industrial units gathered to press for long-pending wage revision demands, but the demonstrations escalated into incidents of stone-pelting, arson and vandalism, with vehicles set ablaze and property damaged.

Thousands of employees have been protesting since the first week of April outside the tehsil office in the IMT-Manesar area in Haryana, demanding a pay raise. While the protests remained peaceful for several days, incidents of vandalism, arson and rioting were reported on April 9 outside several companies.

Police used force to restore order in the area.