Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Ichingcarpenter

(36,988 posts)
Thu Dec 27, 2012, 03:13 PM Dec 2012

Indian tea workers set fire to boss

Over 1,000 tea workers in the India state of Assam have gathered outside the home of the plantation owner as part on an on-going labour dispute. Following shots being fired from the plantation owner’s house, the workers set his house and cars alight. The plantation owner, Mridul Bhattacharya, has a history of exploiting and killing workers.

An unnamed female tea worker was quoted as saying that:

Quote:
“We all came and attacked the bungalow and set it on fire. They deserved to be killed as the planter has exploited us for a long time and tortured us for petty things"
A local newspaper reported that the violence was sparked by the plantation owner and exploiter Mridul Bhattacharya ordering 10 workers to leave their homes with immediate effect, and the detention of several workers by the police on unspecified charges. The workers claim that Bhattacharya had not paid them their wages that had been due in December, and all the other issues have stemmed from workers complaining about the non-payment.

When workers refused to leave their homes (owned by the plantation) he had them arrested and imprisoned. An unnamed worker said that:

Quote:
“Some workers met Bhattacharya Wednesday morning and requested him to get the arrested labourers released. He, however, did not pay any heed to the request and threatened the workers of dire consequences. This angered the labourers and they took the extreme step,”



http://libcom.org/blog/indian-tea-workers-set-fire-boss-27122012




8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Indian tea workers set fire to boss (Original Post) Ichingcarpenter Dec 2012 OP
not the first time this has happened jollyreaper2112 Dec 2012 #1
DUzy! Enrique Dec 2012 #5
Ahh, Revolution shintao Dec 2012 #2
I hope that's a joke and not support for murder. For one thing, how do you know what the Honeycombe8 Dec 2012 #3
we don't but we also don't want workers to roguevalley Dec 2012 #4
With enough desperation Jim Warren Dec 2012 #7
We did that once where I work NNN0LHI Dec 2012 #6
Yep lots of exploitation in India malaise Dec 2012 #8
 

shintao

(487 posts)
2. Ahh, Revolution
Thu Dec 27, 2012, 03:21 PM
Dec 2012

Too bad American workers don't have the back bone displayed by foreign workers. America could use some Mansion burnings and riots at these corporate elites homes instead of on a passive strike line.

Honeycombe8

(37,648 posts)
3. I hope that's a joke and not support for murder. For one thing, how do you know what the
Thu Dec 27, 2012, 03:24 PM
Dec 2012

owner did or did not do? Because his killers said so?

We don't want anyone being killed.

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)
4. we don't but we also don't want workers to
Thu Dec 27, 2012, 04:30 PM
Dec 2012

be killed by bosses. Given the few circumstances shown, I am on the side of the workers.

I think even Hyacinth is appalled as well.

Jim Warren

(2,736 posts)
7. With enough desperation
Thu Dec 27, 2012, 05:02 PM
Dec 2012

they will.

BTW, I get what you're saying without needing the church lady lecture.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Indian tea workers set fi...