trade unions announce one day bandh in Tirupur

Coimbatore, Feb 18 (PTI): Major trade unions in the textilesector today said they would observe a one-day bandh at nearbyTirupur on February 22, seeking an immediate solution to theproblems faced by workers due to closure of over 700 dyeingand bleaching units,following a recent Madras High court order

The joint action committee of trade unions, excepting DMKaffiliated Labour Progressive Front claimed more than fourlakh workers have been affected, both directly and indirectly,due to closure of the units, CITU sources said.

The committee demanded that both the Centre and Tamil Nadugovernments immediately intervene and find a solution to theissue, arising out of effluent discharge in these units.

A little over 750 dyeing and bleaching units were orderedclosed by the Court for polluting Noyyal river by dischargingeffluents,affecting farmers in and around the area.

As power supply was disconnected by Electricity Board, theunits have remained closed for the last one week, affectingthe huge labour force, majority of whom have returned to theirnative places in Southern districts of Tamil Nadu or Kerala.

Schools, colleges and hospitals are exempted from thebandh, the unions said and sought the cooperation from thetrade and commerce and other industries to make the bandhsuccessful, the sources said. PTI NVM APRAPR02191808