Bengaluru garment workers' protest: In 2001, too, it was the same issue EPF

Bengaluru: This is not the first time that the issue of Provident Fund (PF) has stoked the garment employees’ anger. If there has been rioting, arson and damage to public and private property in the city today over the government curtailing the employees’ right to it, 15 years ago, traffic on Tumakuru Road was brought to grinding halt, a DCP and an inspector were admitted to hospital and 20 other policemen were injured in similar protests on July 24, 2001.

The immediate provocation then was the refusal by the local Provident Fund office to hand over the withdrawal forms to some workers, who had lost their jobs. Angered that they could only withdraw their contribution and not the company’s to the fund, the employees went on rampage for two consecutive days.

Over a decade later, Hosur and Tumakuru roads in the city, where a large number of garment factories are located, have seen similar riots break out over the government’s decision to allow withdrawal of PF only on retirement or when the employee turns 58. As the protest spilled over on Bannerghatta road and Mysuru Roads, 65 policemen ,including an assistant police commissioner, Obalesh, were injured as were 37 agitators. The police have detained 116 people for the rioting.

The 2001 riot was also attributed to a spontaneous revolt against the deterioration in the condition of garment employees under the impact of globalisation. Factory closures and job cuts plague this industry, reeling under slowdowns.