Garware workers’ dream gets a helping hand from PMC staff

Around 200 workers of Garware Nylons were rendered jobless after company’s production units in Pimpri, Ahmednagar and Sarola were closed in 1996. The workers are now fighting the odds to raise Rs 6.01 crores, which they had bid in a Bombay High court driver public auction of the nine acres of the company’s plot in Ahmednagar on February 20. The money has to be paid by March 20.

“An amount of Rs 1.5 crores was already paid. Of the remaining amount, only Rs 50 lakh has been raised. So the workers would be moving the high court on Wednesday for seeking extension of period," said Dominic Lobo, president of the Common People’s Front, which is providing legal assistance to the workers.

Lobo said the Garware workers have formed the temporary rules and regulations for shareholders. “The 210 Garware workers who officially put the bid in High court and those among the 1200 Garware workers who would be investing money would be the primary owners of the company. While all others investors would be secondary owners. A temporary share certificate will be given to the investors,” he said.

A Garware worker Arjun Sawant, who contributed Rs 6.9 lakh said that they need about Rs 4.5 crores more, of which only Rs 50 lalks is collected so far. It includes contribution of Rs 25,000 from the PMC employees, along with Rs 10,000 from an SKF company worker and Rs 5,000 from a state government employee.

Sanjay Kshirsagar, a junior level clerk in PMC, who contributed Rs 1,000, said that he decided to contribute since he was impressed with the will of Garware worker after reading the related newspaper reports.

“I discussed the issue with my colleagues and 25 of them agreed to contribute. Each of us purchased shares of Rs 1000. Now we are trying to convince more people for purchasing the shares from Garware workers. We would also bring the issue before PMC Worker’s Union,” Kshirsagar said.

A Garware worker Arjun Sawant, who contributed Rs 6.9 lakh said that they have urged the Central and state governments to extend a soft loan of Rs 10 crores. “Our team has gone to Delhi for meeting the ministers in this regard,” he said.

When contacted, State Finance Minister Jayant Patil said that he has not yet received the proposal from the Garware workers. “The proposal will first go to the industry minister and then come to me”, he said. The Industry Minister Ashok Chavan was not available for comment.