Date:08/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/08/stories/2006090808260500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Increase in bonus for textile workers demanded

Staff Reporter

COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore and Erode District Joint Action Committee for textile mill workers' unions (JAC) has demanded a minimum of 15 per cent and maximum of 35 per cent bonus in mills with more than 12,000 spindles (C and D group mills). This was decided at a meeting of the JAC held here on Friday.

Textile mills with less than 12,000 spindles (A and B group mills) should pay a maximum of 35 per cent bonus. It also said the mills should arrive at settlements and disburse the amount by October 5.

The minimum bonus given last year was 13 per cent and the maximum was 28 per cent (including the smaller units).

Mr. Arumugam said workers would resort to direct action in those units that fail to arrive at a settlement by October 5 (Deepavali is on October 21).

K.G. Jagannathan, secretary of the Coimbatore and Erode District Textile Mill Workers' Unions' Joint

Action Committee, said the units were doing well and hence were expected to conclude settlements on time.

The JAC also sought the same bonus for all the non-permanent workers.