Delhi MSW Solutions Ltd Workers Protest Against Wage Cuts

Outside the factory gate of Delhi Municipal Solid Waste (M.S.W) Solutions Limited, a company based in Sector 5 of Bawana, nearly 300 workers have been protesting since October 9. The protest, organised by the workers’ union of D.M.S.W.S - Mazdoor Sangarsh Samiti Bawana (MSSB)– is against low wages and violation of labour laws. The company had issued a notice on October 4, stating that the wage of workers would be reduced and made equal to that of the wages given to them in 2016.

“As per the notice, the wage of each worker would be reduced by Rs 5,000. Considering the rise in inflation and also the rent paid by labourers, such an action taken by the company is certainly an anti-worker step. The workers have been peacefully protesting against it in front of the factory gates,”  Amit, a member of the working committee of MSSB, told Newsclick. He said they would continue the strike until their demands are met.

Why the Reduction in Wages?

The factory had reduced the wages of its workers following a High Court order which quashed a March 2017 notification of revising the minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers in the city, citing it as "ultra vires of Article 14" of the Constitution of India. Following this judgement, the factory had passed a notice declaring a reduction in the wages of the workers to what it was in 2016.

MSW Solutions is known for generating power by converting trash into fertilisers and electricity. “About 1,200-1,600 tonnes of waste is used  for the production of 24 megawatt electricity on a daily basis,” said Amit. This entails handling a lot of toxic waste. However, workers have been accusing the authorities of violating labour laws by not providing them safety gear.

In a statement, Amit said, “This company is linked to New Delhi Municipal Corporation. which pays according to the minimum wage laws announced by the Central Government, but the M.S.W. Solutions Ltd. is violating the law. The company is giving reference to the order given by the Delhi High Court overruling the increase in minimum wage made by the Arvind Kejriwal government. Also, what is noticeable is that the company is also violating labour laws regarding safety of workers.”

In January 2018, a massive fire had broken out in a factory in Bawana, killing 17 people and injuring 30. Among those killed were eight women and two children. “At that time, a demand to implement labour laws was made all over Delhi but now, neither the Ministers nor the Labour Department are paying heed to the situation,” he added.

The workers have also pointed out that they have not been given any joining letter or  benefits such as Employees State Insurance of provident fund. “The company has previously terminated workers after accidents. The workers had protested at Nimri Colony Labour Court on October 10. It is now the duty of the Labour Department to make sure that labour laws are being followed,”  he added.

Amit also alleged that labourers were made to work overtime without their permission and were paid half of what the labour law on minimum wage mandates, adding that the workers had resolved to continue their protest outside the factory gates until they get a clear reply from the management.