Industrial Relations Situation at Titagarh
The jute industry is frequently associated with strikes, lockouts, and closures. A particular case in point is the Titagarh Jute Mill. Since 1986, the Titagarh Mill has been unsuccessfully run by different promoters. For a long time, workers have been demanding the payment of Provident Fund and Gratuity dues for retired employees, payment of their due wages, and the permanent placement of temporary workers. Workers have not been paid gratuity and other arrears—amounting to about Rs. 15 crore—for years.
Management's take on the entire situation was that when new promoters took over the mill in 1999, there were huge dues. In the Provident Fund, Rs. 11.83 crore was being paid to the PF Commissioner in 50 installments by the current management. Since the mill was running at a loss, the management could not settle all the claims at once. From the management's perspective, aggrieved unions were obstructing the smooth functioning of the mills.
Things took an ugly turn when Apurba Roychowdhury, the Personnel Manager of the mill, was found dead in his office on the mill premises while the Sangrami Mazdoor Union (SMU) was conducting a gate meeting protesting the non-payment of long-standing Provident Fund and Gratuity dues. A team from Khardah Police Station arrested 21 members of the SMU in connection with this. According to the Khardah Police Station Inspector, the SMU had not taken police permission to hold the meeting. High-ranking union members, including the President, Secretary, and Treasurer, were arrested on the spot. They have been charge-sheeted and are currently out on bail.
Question:
SMU leaders alleged that the murder was carried out by criminals hired by the management. Currently, neither the management nor the workers have the confidence to return to work. How can you improve the condition of the Titagarh Jute Mill as the newly hired Personnel Manager?