Another court hearing
Update on the Akbarallys-Santacruz workers dispute.
But before I start, I would like to thank each and every reader for their valuable comment(s). The response has been overwhelming. I hope at the end, this awareness does make a huge difference to the lives of the patient workers.
Day before one of the lady employees called in, generally inquiring about the post and its responses. She was also wondering if any newspaper agency had taken interest in printing their cause. The eagerness in her voice could not be missed.
I was pleased to inform her of the great acknowledgment from our blog world, but beyond that there was no concrete help I had to offer. Somehow I feel I have let them down…if only something more would come out of this virtual publicity. I hung up promising to drop by later with the post printouts.
At 5:30 in the evening I was there once again sitting amongst the workers. All searching for some glimmer of hope; seeing and reading the posts with its various comments.
Unfortunately the court hearing only brought about an extension to the case. Another hearing is to take place on the 19th of April. The management asked for more time to settle matters, preferring an out-of-court settlement. They are still stuck on the 50,000 amount, not willing to consider the workers demands.
One worker further said “Knowing our judicial system, we expect something similar on the 19th too. God only knows when our misery will come to an end.”
The management is unnecessarily prolonging the settlement; the delay is costing the workers, their valuable time and energy. Hence they are going to appeal for a two months (or further) salary. An attendance record has been maintained from the 10th of February.
Each and every one of them thanked me profusely for my efforts. Appreciation glittered in their eyes.
It deeply hurts to see their state….committed workers with family and children, now on the streets….battling their cause day-in and day-out. No one to hold their hand!
What hurts more is to read comments suggesting, that workers should go out looking for another job rather than fighting for their rights. How can one close his/her eyes to a brutal reality? Theirs is no more young blood, getting over and moving on after a chapter like this is not easy.
It’s even more pathetic to see media giving importance to an actor’s new born baby but updating on pressing issues is of no concern to them.
We don’t need strong movies (Rang de basanti) and documentaries to inspire our younger generation, these people and their lives are more than enough. They stand united, fighting for what they deserve….one fine day…the world WILL listen!
Full story : Workers Be Damned - The Akbarallys story
We all have a right to express our views. In many instances; it will be against ours and in some; with us. To hear them out is 'decency' but to let them get to you is 'weakness'. 
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4 comments | Leave your comment
Mar 30th, 2006 at 4:01 am | #
“one fine day the world will listen”..left me with sort of mixed feelings. Given the way the rich and powerful manipulates our judiciary, that day might not come anytime soon. In fact you mentioned this in your update.
Although I feel some kind of political intervention is required but I doubt how helpful it could possibly be. In this scenario it is easy for the politians to wash their hands off because the matter is sub-judice. There isn’t much political dividend involved either.
It is a disgrace to our society that the rights of workers are rarely honoured. I suspect the management is going to drag this on and on till the hapless workers accept a dime for a dollar.
I wish I could do better than just scribbling few words of hope and encouragement. I might be speaking off my head but is it possible to involve any human rights or workers’ rights group?
By the way …Sakshi..thanks for being a solid citizen. It is not easy to walk the talk.
I am sure the eyes of the workers rewarded you more. I just wanted to let you know that you are appreciated. If there is any way I could help please let me know (this is my generic committment, not just for the current issue).
Keep up good work.
Mar 30th, 2006 at 3:47 pm | #
Sakshi
The next logical step in this fight would be to get the main stream media involved. Yes they have better things to do and therefore blogs fill in the gaps they leave.
But you should contact the media and pass on your links. It just needs one MSM to pic ka story and then all are on
Mar 30th, 2006 at 5:07 pm | #
Arzan - I did indeed pass on the links to quite few local newpapers..but sadly none seem to care much. As I said in my post, they rather waste loads of paper space on a ‘famous’ actor who just recently had a baby….but to write about these worker’s plight, is not interesting enough.
Q Bit - Thanks for your support.
Apr 1st, 2006 at 4:58 am | #
sakshi, if no one is going to hear their voice , why could not the blogger community in india, forms a panel amongthemselves which will have its own layers who will represent those cases which get a little glimpse.
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