The Hindu : For them fight for justice has just begun

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 09, 2003

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For them fight for justice has just begun

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI JAN. 8 . For this group of spirited women, the battle may have been won, but the fight for justice seems to have only just begun.

Employed by a garment factory "Wings'' that shut down in 1995, fifty women have moved a court to get the wages due to them. And while the High Court has ruled in their favour, they are yet to get their "reward'. Running from pillar to post to get the recovery order implemented, justice seems to be only a hollow concept.

"For the past six months we have been running around to try and get the money. The case has been won, but the money is yet to come. We have written to the authorities concerned, who have promised to make arrests if the order isn't complied with. But so far nothing has happened. We have presented our case to the Delhi Chief Minister last month, but we are still awaiting justice,'' laments Balwinder, a former factory worker.

A struggle that has dragged on for too long, they have spent seven precious years of their lives waiting outside courtrooms. For some, though, the victory has come too late. "Three of our fellow workers have died waiting for justice. In one family both the husband and wife have died. But these girls have show tremendous courage. They've managed to balance their homes and continue the struggle,'' says Pyare Lal, the union president.

Justice might take a longer, but these women are not willing to give up hope. "I have no choice but to fight. It is my hard earned money why should I let it go? We shall go up to the Supreme Court, but we'll recover the money,'' Balwinder says determinedly.

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For them fight for justice has just begun