Brandix SEZ Workers Strike for Pay Hike

Vizag: About 20,000 women employees working in various companies under Brandix Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Achyutapuram staged a protest dharna demanding minimum wages of Rs10,000 on Monday.The workers of unit 1 and 2 have been striking work since Friday last and their colleagues from other four units joined hands with them making it a massive industrial strike in the state.

Minister Acchennaidu is reported to have visited the spot sometime last week when the workers unrest was in initial stages. But the government failed to give them any assurance about pay hike.

The trade union leaders said the women workers at these companies in the SEZ are paid only Rs4,000 despite a GO to increase wages to Rs7,000 in 2011. Now the workers demand Rs10,000 net salary per month.