Pune: The weighers at Pune's Market Yard are set to go on strike starting August 26 due to the non-payment of their June wages.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Weighers’ Union announced this decision after delays caused by internal conflicts among the directors of the Pune Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). The union has sent a formal letter to the APMC informing them of the strike.
The delay in wage payments is linked to the removal of the APMC chairman's signing authority, which has led to confusion about who should authorize the wage checks. The issue has left 375 weighers across various departments, including grains, fruits, vegetables, and onion-potato, without their salaries.
Despite the traders depositing the weighing fees for June, the internal power struggle has created uncertainty about who will sign the checks to transfer these funds to the Mathadi Board for disbursement to the weighers. As a result, the weighers, who typically receive their wages one month late, have been pushed to the brink, leading to the strike decision.
Union leaders met with APMC officials earlier this week but failed to resolve the issue. They have warned that if wages are not paid within two days, work at the Market Yard will come to a halt starting Monday.
Rajendra Chorge, President, Weighers' Union, Market Yard said, "Weighers at the Market Yard typically receive their wages one month late. The June wages were expected to be paid in the first week of August, but they have not yet been received.
The weighers plan to meet with the APMC secretary and chairman to discuss the issue. After the discussion, the union’s delegation will announce their next course of action."
Impact of APMC’s Internal Disputes:
Santosh Takawale, President, Chhatrapati Shivaji Market Yard Weighers’ Union said, "Due to the confusion within the APMC, the weighers have not received their wages. This delay has caused hardship for the weighers and their families.
Work was halted for two hours across various departments on Wednesday in protest. If the wages are not received within two days, the weighers will stop work starting Monday."
