Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): Congress Party leader YS Sharmila has issued a strong ultimatum to the management of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, accusing them of displaying authoritarian behavior and ignoring the grievances of their workforce.
In a post shared on X, Sharmila denounced the management’s “arrogant” attitude, especially as employees are preparing to begin a strike on May 20 in protest.
She emphasized that 2,000 contract workers have already been dismissed and another 3,000 are reportedly at risk of losing their jobs—a move she described as “utterly cruel.” Sharmila also criticized the suspension of employees who questioned these actions and pointed to the management’s failure to pay salaries to regular staff for the past eight months.
“The management of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is exhibiting an authoritarian attitude. While workers are preparing to go on strike from tomorrow demanding justice, the management has shown no signs of taking corrective measures. There is not even the slightest concern to resolve workers’ issues. The management is behaving arrogantly, as if there’s no authority to question them. Having already terminated 2,000 contract workers, the management is now conspiring to lay off another 3,000 workers, which is utterly cruel. Suspending workers who dared to question these injustices is outrageous,” she posted on X.
Continuing her post, Sharmila demanded immediate reinstatement of the dismissed workers, the release of pending salaries, a rollback of the 2021 privatization decision, and a formal declaration to merge the plant with the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
“On behalf of the Congress Party, we issue an ultimatum to the management of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant: (1) The 2,000 contract workers who were terminated must be reinstated immediately. (2) Salaries that have been pending for eight months for regular employees must be paid without delay. (3) The decision taken in January 2021 to privatize the steel plant must be revoked immediately. A formal announcement must be made that the steel plant will be merged with SAIL.”
Sharmila also warned of intensified protests if these demands are not met. She stated that the Congress Party would begin an indefinite hunger strike starting May 21 in solidarity with the workers.
“If these demands are not met, starting from the 21st of this month, we will launch an indefinite hunger strike in support of the workers’ ongoing strike. Visakha Steel is the right of the people of Andhra. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the protection of the steel plant and the welfare of its workers.” she added in her post.