WHO CALLED IT?

Datta Samant, the union leader of the strike, had earned fame by negotiating a major wage increase for workers of Premier Automobiles. Buoyed by the success, he led the strike of over 2,40,000 textile workers who were also demanding a major wage increase.

However, a major difference between the two strikes was that while Premier Automobiles was a very profitable company, most of the textile mills were sick units. As Datta Samant was considered a political threat by the country’s political leaders, the government took a firm stance of rejecting Samant’s demands despite the economic losses suffered by India’s commercial capital.

After a prolonged and destabilised confrontation, the collapsed without having obtained any concessions for the workers. The strike left more 1,50,000 workers unemployed and resulted in most of the textile industry moving to Gujarat.

SO, ARE STRIKES GOOD?

Strikes are a major disruption and have historically created more unemployment and economic losses.

WATCH NOW

Watch the real story behind the Great Bombay Textile Strike that left more than 1,50,000 workers unemployed.