Workers Barred from Timken, Protests Erupt at DLC Office

149 workers denied entry at Timken despite DLC orders, triggering protests. Contracting agency and management accused of labor laws violation.

JAMSHEDPUR – The enduring dispute with the management of labor employed in Timken Company through contracting agency Bhardwaj Infracon escalated on Saturday.

The workers allege that in spite of the Deputy Labor Commissioner’s (DLC) orders, they were not allowed to enter the premises for their designated shifts.

This led the workers to stage a demonstration at the Deputy Labor Commissioner’s office on Saturday.

Rajeev Pandey, general secretary of the Johar Jharkhand Labor Federation, accused Bhardwaj Infracon of harassing 149 workers by contravening the DLC order.

He asserted that the contracting company issued duty notices to the laborers, yet paradoxically barred them from entering the company.

He also claimed that Bhardwaj Infracon stated that only the DLC can assign duty, not the contracting company, and had hired 70-80 new workers in place of the existing ones.

Pandey held Timken management responsible for the situation, alleging violation of labor laws. He urged the Deputy Labor Commissioner to act against the Managing Director by Monday, providing justice to the workers.

He warned of a larger agitation or even self-immolation by workers deprived of justice in front of the company gate on Tuesday, if action was not taken.