Wage arrears prompt protests by garment workers in Ranchi demanding salary clearance

Over 1,000 workers, mostly women, protested outside a garment export factory gate in Ranchi. The workers said wages had remained unpaid for months. Officials said the crowd blocked the Khelgaon-Tatisilway Road. Traffic disruptions lasted about four hours, as the group pressed for salary clearance.

Workers said the delays strained household budgets and daily routines. Jyoti Devi alleged February and March wages were not paid. "In April, I got only Rs 1,500 in two instalments." Jyoti Devi also alleged, "When we approached the management regarding the payment, they gave only assurances and are actually doing nothing,"

Komal Kumari, from Bihar’s Samastipur district, said salary had been pending for two months. Komal Kumari said regular expenses were getting harder to manage. Soni Devi said delays over three months caused severe stress at home. "Our household expenses are going up, and payment of tuition fees for the children is getting delayed," Soni Devi said.

Item	Detail
Protest size	More than 1,000 workers, mostly women
Road impact	Khelgaon-Tatisilway Road blocked for about four hours
Workforce at plant	Around 2,400 female workers
Payment claim examples	February and March pending; April paid Rs 1,500 in two instalments

Orient Craft Fashion Industries Ltd’s HR Manager Ravi Bhushan accepted that salaries were due. Ravi Bhushan said the factory employed around 2,400 female workers. "Export of garments has been drastically hampered due to tariffs imposed by the US," Ravi Bhushan said. "The company is facing financial pressure due to the global crisis." Ravi Bhushan said dues would be cleared soon.

Ravi Bhushan said senior officials would reach the factory on Wednesday. "I have informed the higher authorities, and they will come here on Wednesday to hold a meeting with the workers." Ranchi’s Deputy Labour Commissioner Avinash Krishna said talks occurred with company representatives. "The management has assured us that they will settle the payment of the last two months by Monday."

Khelgaon police station officer-in-charge Abhishek Rai said the protest ended after assurances. Abhishek Rai said workers withdrew once they were told pending wages would be paid. Avinash Krishna also said a Wednesday meeting was planned on salary issues. The episode came days after reports of worker unrest in Noida’s industrial area in Uttar Pradesh.