Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) has reinstated 4,200 contract workers who were terminated on September 27, following a two-day protest supported by union leaders. The reinstatement, effective from September 29, was achieved after workers laid siege to the office of the Executive Directors of RINL-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) on October 1. The protest continued until 2 a.m. on October 2, resulting in intervention by Regional Labour Commissioner K.J. Mohanty and a meeting that led to the decision.
Andhra Pradesh state Congress chief YS Sharmila, who also held a protest in support of the cause, celebrated the reinstatement, crediting the success to the pressure exerted by the party. "Congress party welcomes the reinstatement of the 4,200 contract workers of Vizag Steel. This is a Congress victory, and we make this promise to the employees that come what may, we shall stand behind them and secure their future," Sharmila declared, emphasising the party’s Opposition to the privatization of Vizag Steel. She also vowed to continue applying pressure on both the state and central governments.
Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal accused the BJP-led Central government of having an "anti-labour stance" and suggested that the termination was intended to benefit corporate allies close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post on social media, Venugopal stated, "The unfair termination of 4,200 contract workers from Vizag Steel Plant once again exposes the BJP's anti-labour stance."
Reacting to the opposition, JD(S) leader Kumaraswamy told the Congress leaders to not politicise the issue for vote bank politics. He said, "You are rather misinformed as you have raked up this issue despite it being resolved to stoke tensions. The RINL management has also clarified that around 3,700 contract labour passes were cancelled and that they are working to restore the passes in the online system soon."