Trade unions join hands to protest closure of Ranibagh HMT unit

Our Correspondent

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Pithoragarh, July 27

Trade unions and local residents have come in favour of unemployed workers of the closed HMT factory at Ranibagh, near Haldwani in Nainital district, and decided to form a joint front to fight against closure of the factory.

Workers under the banner of Haldwani Prabuddh Nagrik and HMT Karmachari Sanyuka Sangthan today said they would disclose their strategy to fight against the governments decision to close the factory, after local MP Bhagat Singh Koshiyari gave details of his meeting with the Union Industry and Defence Ministers in this connection on Tuesday.

“We want this factory be included in the list of defence equipments manufacturing unit by the Ministry of Defence. The factory could continue production of watches for defence personnel,” said Devki Nandan Suyal, working president of the front.

HMT workers said when the Prime Minister sought FDI from European and Russian federation countries during his visit last month, they were hopeful that the FDI would be used in the revival of the factory but the news had shattered the hopes of the workers. “We oppose finishing public sector units and boost corporate sector, the policy which is being adopted by the Modi government,” said MS Bisht, president, HMT workers’ union.

Leaders of the front have said that the HMT factory is a bright hope for employment for the aspiring youths of Kumaon region and its closure would create situation of hopelessness among the youths who are looking for jobs in the region. “After the result of MPs meeting with Union ministers, we will expand our executive and chalk out strategy for further action,” said DN Suyal.