Breach of Contract Sparks Major Labour Protest at ICL Cement Factory

Hundreds of Odiya migrant labourers are staging a protest outside a cement factory in Andhra Pradesh, alleging severe exploitation and breach of contract. The workers, who hail from various villages in the Patrapur block of Ganjam district, were hired for technical roles at the ICL Cement Company in Chilampudu, Kadapa district.

The demonstration erupted after the company allegedly failed to honour the terms of their employment. Laborers report that for several months, they have received significantly less pay than the agreed-upon rates and have also been denied food. The protest began after their repeated complaints to the factory management were ignored.

According to information from one worker, the contract stipulated specific daily wages. Fitters were promised ₹1300, welders and senior riggers ₹1100, junior riggers ₹1000, and helpers (khalasi) ₹900. The company's failure to provide these wages and associated benefits has led to the current standoff, with workers demonstrating loudly at the factory gate.

In response to the situation, Ganjam District Labour Officer Shubhalakshmi Behera noted that such problems frequently occur because migrant workers often do not register or inform the department before leaving for work in other states.

Hundreds of Odiya laborers from Ganjam are protesting alleged exploitation at the ICL Cement factory in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh.

Workers claim the company breached its contract by cutting wages and withholding food for several months.

The contract specified daily wages ranging from ₹900 for helpers to ₹1300 for fitters, which are reportedly not being paid.

The District Labour Officer stated that such issues are common as workers migrate without informing the department.