Surat: Around 100 women employees of a garmenting unit operated by the Laxmipati Group in the Sachin GIDC estate staged a dharna and briefly went on strike on Wednesday, alleging delays in salary payments and other wage-related issues.The workers walked out of the unit and gathered outside the premises, saying salary payments were being delayed and their demands regarding wages had not been addressed by the management.Police reached the spot and intervened. After discussions, the workers withdrew the agitation and resumed work, officials said.Company representatives said the dispute stemmed from confusion over wage deductions made after implementation of the new labour codes. A Laxmipati Group official said the company had begun deducting a portion of employees’ wages towards provident fund contributions in accordance with the revised provisions.“The workers are demanding full salary without deductions, and that has created confusion. There is not enough awareness about the new labour codes among workers, and for a company it is important to follow the codes,” the official said.Company officials also expressed concerns that persons from outside the organisation may be attempting to mislead workers regarding the deductions and labour regulations.
