Violent attack on peaceful meeting of brick kiln workers in Rajasthan Maandal Diary 21st December, Workers come together for a massive show of strength Today was the D day. The Union team undertook extensive mobilization amongst the workers between 15th and 21st December. It visited all the brick kilns and gave memorandum to the employers. It contacted workers and gave them pamphlet about the Union meeting on 21st. A memorandum was given to the brick kiln owners’ association. While most owners accepted the memorandum, there were heated discussions with a group of 6-7 owners. Another team met the Government officers. The Labor Department was given the memorandum and asked to initiate a tripartite dialogue. The police and the administration were also given information about the meeting and workers’ problems. The Union team made efforts to develop a local support group. It met sympathetic members of the civil society including advocates, trade union members, and social activists. The mobilization efforts met resistance from a small group of 7-8 owners. These owners own comparatively larger units centered around the village of Haripura. These are the owners who pay the lowest rates and stand to suffer the most from a wage hike. They challenged the Union to hold the meeting. The source of their confidence became apparent on the morning of the meeting when the local official responsible for law and order, the Sub Divisional Officer phoned the Union Secretary saying that he has cancelled permission for the meeting. Then the tent house supplier was threatened by the owners not to erect the tent. Union responded by mobilizing the support group to speak to the higher police officials. We asked the local police to provide protection. The local police responded and a police team was stationed at the site. The tent was erected again. There remained the suspense whether workers will be able to resist the employers and come out of the brick kilns. The suspense was soon removed as workers started arriving in groups. Soon the tent was full and workers flowed outside. We registered almost 1000 workers and an equal number is likely to have gone unregistered. The numbers were beyond our expectation. The guests included the local city support group and supporters from outside the district. The workers were full of enthusiasm. After the speeches, the workers decided on the next course of action. The Union president moved the resolution for continuing the strike. The resolution was passed by a show of hands by overwhelming majority. Next the Union activists outline the strategy. It was decided to continue the strike for three days. If by the end of three days, the owners do not respond, then the workers will apply for release under the Bonded Labor Act and go back home. The Bonded Labor Act was explained. Nearly all the workers have taken an advance and that is the source of their bondage. The workers were told that they can apply for release under the Act and the bonded debt will be annulled. Format of an application under release under the Act was circulated and 40 such forms were circulated. After the meeting the workers went in the form of a rally to the nearby Haripura chauraha as a show of strength. The rally passed through the village where a large number of owners live. Finally a committee was constituted. It was decided that every day the workers will gather at Haripura chauraha in the morning and then the team will go wherever required. Post script: As the meeting ended, the owners’ reaction became clear. One owner threatened the Union activist. From one brick kiln, there was report of violence and a worker was beaten up. The workers responded by collecting together forcing the owner to run away. All work came to a halt. The Union informed the local police that paid a visit to the kiln. The owner later tried to effect a compromise. The city support group met the Labor Commissioner and asked for speeding up the process of tripartite dialogue. He has fixed 24th December for the meeting. On 24th December 2012, a meeting of striking workers was attacked violently by the brick kiln owners. A group of workers was holding a meeting two kms from Haripura chauraha. Suddenly the brick kiln owners came in a group of ten vehicles and attacked the workers and union team from behind. The attack was sudden. The women with children were also not spared. The workers dispersed under this sudden attack. The Union team members had to flee for their life. They were pursued by the attackers. The attack was preplanned. Earlier the owners had collected in Maandal town and held a meeting. They gave an application against the Union to the Police Station. And then came out and went to the meeting site for the attack. The police and the administration is supporting the owners as is evident by the statements they gave in the media blaming the Union for provoking the owners. Even media is giving more prominence to owners’ version. The Union team has met the district collector. He has been handed a list of 15groups of workers who want to be released from bondage. This is going to be the main strategy now as the owners are not interested in a dialogue with the workers. The news from the kilns is that the owners have forced the workers to resume work under threat. The pathera workers want to leave but the owners are making them work under force. We appeal for support from all at this critical juncture in the movement. You could write to the Chief Minister on Rajasthan on this brazen attack on workers movement. Sudhir Katiyar on bhalf of Rajasthan Pradesh Int Bhatta Majdoor Union katsudhir@gmail.com