Sponge-iron factory issues lockout, workers stage blockade

A sponge-iron factory in Bishnupur subdivision of Bankura district employing 800 workers issued a lockout notice following which the jobless workers have blocked a road in the area.
The factory authorities at Dwarika industrial area put up the lockout notice on the factory gate on Monday night following which agitated workers staged a road blockade on Sonamukhi-Bishnupur road since last evening.
The road blockade continued this morning with the workers demanding withdrawal of the closure notice.
Sub Divisional Officer Palash Sengupta said tripartite talks have been called on December 18.
But the workers are demanding immediate holding of talks.
Additional Labour Commissioner Subhas Mukhopadhyay said the management had not given prior intimation to the work force before declaring the lockout.

A letter has been sent to the management about this, he said.
The 15-year-old factory had failed to pay their electricity bill dues following which power supply was disconnected.