Police deployed at Tata Motors gate as trainees put up blockade

JAMSHEDPUR: Police have been deployed at the main gate of Tata Motors today after in-plant trainees put up blockade at the main entrance of the company in support of their demands including hike in their wages.

Around 200 ITI trainees of the company staged a blockade at the main entrance of the company demanding hike in wages, health facility, weekly off, among others.

"We have not been given any grade in the company and our wages are even less than a labourer," one of the trainee alleged adding they were forced to work even on off days.

The trainees sat in front of the main entrance for over two hours as the police arrived to maintain law and order.

Company officials said the main issue behind the agitation was the demand of the trainees to adjust two Sundays they had worked in September last with the three-day Durga Puja holidays beginning from October 21.

"We agreed to adjust the two Sundays, one with the Puja holidays and other during Diwali, but they pressurised to adjust the two working Sundays with Puja holidays," Ranjit Dhar, spokesman of the company said.

"Accordingly, we have extended the Puja holidays to four days with adjustment of one working Sunday of last month. A circular was issued on Friday, but some of the trainees were unaware of it and put up the blockade, he said.

"However, the issue was settled within two hours and the trainees resumed their work," Dhar said.