Garment workers' stir: Karnataka High Court raps government, police

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court on Saturday came down heavily upon the state government and police for mishandling the recent protests by garment workers. The court even took strong note of violation of the human rights of many women workers during the protests.

While expressing dissatisfaction with the report over filing the vacancies in the state police department, the court observed saying that crime rate is increasing by the day, while the police infrastructure is deteriorating at the same rate, and further felt that more needs to be done than just recruiting staff and increasing the number of police vehicles.

Referring to the loss incurred by the state exchequer in the recent protest by the garment workers, the court observed that it is very unfortunate that the government spends in lakhs to improve the police infrastructure, which actually needs a 'structured strengthening'.

“For 1.25 crore population in the city, there are only 11,000 plus policemen. There were 1.25 lakh people on the city roads protesting and the intelligence had no idea about it. Even on the second day, the police were ill-equipped. There was a well planned conspiracy by the anti-social elements to disturb the city. The police not only mishandled the situation, but also violated the human rights of many women workers,” court observed. The police personnel are unnecessarily burdened with more work, but the government must understand that if they are happy, the society will be healthy. Unless the police are given adequate infrastructure, how can they ensure the safety of people and public property. Crime must be prevented, before it occurs, the court said.

The court was unhappy over the affidavit submitted by the DG and IGP with regard to the steps taken by the police department to fill in the vacancies, Justice A.N. Vengopala Gowda said that there are nearly 25 per cent vacancies to be filled and it would years for the department to fill them and to improve their infrastructure as per the present requirement.

‘Wage theft, sexual harassment reasons for strike’
Members of the Garments and Textile Workers Union (GATWU) said here on Saturday that garment workers, whose deplorable working condition coupled with the anger over the recent PF policy notification, led to the violent strikes on Monday and Tuesday.

Mr Vinay Srinivas of the Alternative Law Forum, stated that a report – ‘The Production of Torture’ – was submitted to Ms Manjula Manasa, chairperson of the State Women's Commission on January 31 this year. The report looked into the condition of workers in the garment industry, ranging from amenities in the workplace to sexual and verbal harassment and punishment. “When these workers report late, they are made to stand outside the gate for an hour like little schoolchildren. Once they are inside the factoyr, they don’t even have time to go to the toilet,” he stated. GATWU plans to take a delegation to the Human Rights Commission seeking directions to the government to pay for the medical expenses of those injured during the strike.