Toyo Rolls workers demand pending salaries amid economic crisis

Mail News Service

Gamharia, Jan 20: Workers of the now-defunct Toyo Rolls in Gamharia have intensified their demand for overdue wages following the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) approval of Jharkhand Bijli Vidyut Nigam Limited’s (JBVNL) proposal to construct an industrial park on the factory’s premises.

In a meeting held on Sunday at the Toyo Colony, workers voiced their grievances, stating they have not received salaries since 2016. The financial strain has forced many families to migrate and caused the deaths of several workers. Speaking at the gathering, worker leader D.K. Pandey said, “It has been nearly a decade of suffering. We demand immediate disbursement of the Rs 29 crore earmarked for us. We’ve lost the strength to protest anymore.”

The workers’ delegation urged the government to expedite the release of funds to provide relief to overburdened families. Sunil Kumar, another worker, remarked, “Despite all odds, we stayed hopeful, but now our patience is running out. The authorities must act before more lives are lost to this crisis.”

The NCLT’s approval of the industrial park brings hope for economic revival in the area, but workers insist their pending dues must be addressed before moving forward. Many families expressed their inability to survive the prolonged economic hardship and demanded fair compensation for their years of service.

Prominent workers like Sadhu Saroj, Keshav Chaudhary and Gyanendra Singh, among others, attended the meeting.

As the workers continue to press their demands, all eyes are on the state administration to intervene and ensure justice for the Toyo Rolls workforce.