Hundreds of employees staged a protest at a garment manufacturing company owned by Anand Ahuja, businessman and husband of Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor, in Haryana’s Faridabad on Saturday. Workers stopped work and gathered outside the factory, demanding that the company restore the 20% annual bonus, which they claim has been reduced to 8%.
As the protest intensified, the company called in the police. Despite efforts by officers to persuade the workers to return to work, employees refused, saying they would resume duties only after their bonus demand is met.
The company, Shahi Exports, located in Sector 28, manufactures and exports women’s garments and employs around 6,000 workers, including a large number of women.
Protest continues for second day
The demonstration began on Friday and continued into its second day, with around 200 male and female employees gathering in a park outside the factory. Several women workers also staged a sit-in near the company’s main gate.
The protesters allege that the company has been steadily reducing employee benefits while prioritising its own financial gains.
Workers allege bonus cuts since COVID-19
Santosh, a sewing machine operator who has worked at the factory for several years, said the company began reducing employee bonuses after the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Earlier, we received a 20% bonus, but it has now been reduced to 8%. At a time when inflation is rising, our bonus is continuously being cut,” she said.
Another employee, Suman, claimed that the reduction has resulted in an annual loss of nearly ₹30,000 for her.
“The company has cut the bonus by 12 percentage points. Even last year’s bonus was reduced. When we came to protest today, company representatives threatened to call our family members and file cases against us,” she alleged.
Company employee Suman says – they are being threatened with a lawsuit for protesting.
Employees accuse company of double standards
The protesting workers alleged that while the bonuses of lower-level employees have been reduced, the salaries and benefits of senior company officials have continued to increase.
According to the employees, the management had proposed reducing bonuses soon after the COVID-19 period, a move that workers had rejected at the time following protests. They claim the company has now implemented the cuts again despite their opposition.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the police reached the spot.
Police say situation is under control
Police reached the factory after receiving information about the protest and attempted to mediate between the workers and the management.
Police spokesperson Yashpal said the employees had stopped work over their demands and confirmed that officers were present at the site.
“The employees have stopped working over their demands. Police reached the spot after receiving information. The situation is currently under control,” he said.
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