Worker unrest hits Bilt paper mill in Odisha

Koraput: Labour unrest continues to mar the operations of Bilt paper mill in Jeypore of Koraput district as workers of the factory are on a hunger strike since last five days.

According to sources, employees of the Bilt paper mill situated at Gaganpur have resorted to cease work stir protesting harassment including pay cuts and misappropriation in EPF and ESI deposits by company authorities.

The agitating employees have stayed put with their protests which are continuing over the past 55 days throwing the normal functioning of the mill out of gear.

With the mill administration allegedly turning a blind eye to the demands of the employees, the agitating workers have intensified their protests and launched an indefinite cease work along with a hunger strike five days back.

Speaking on the matter, Pramod Mohanty, Joint Action Committee member of the mill said, “The decision for cease work was made after consultations with all stakeholders. Lowering salary is not a small issue as nearly Rs 16 crore worth of Bilt papers are lying unused so they should be dispatched first.”

“Nearly 10,000 rupees is being deducted from our salaries every month. We are not demanding hike but we want our salaries restructured to the way it was before,” said Aman Ujjivan Nayak, an employee of the mill.