Noida: Union’s call for boycott of Mahagun society by helps falls on deaf ears
The call was given by Gharelu Kamgar Union (GKU), which promised assistance to domestic helps following the arrest of some protesters. Helps continued to go about their daily work and said that their livelihood is important to them.
A workers’ union’s call for the boycott of Mahagun Moderne society by domestic helps in Sector 78 fell on deaf ears. Helps continued to go about their daily work and said that their livelihood is important to them.
The call was given by Gharelu Kamgar Union (GKU), which promised assistance to domestic helps following the arrest of some protesters.
The domestic helps also distanced themselves from the July 12 incident. They said they do not want to get into any more controversies as it has disturbed their peace.
Around 300 people had stormed the Mahagun Moderne society on the allegations that Zora Bibi, a domestic help, was assaulted by her employer. The society residents, in turn, refuted the claim and said that Bibi was caught stealing from her employer.
“We migrated from our villages to ensure that none of us dies of hunger. In the entire locality, people do not know about any call given by the union. The violence led to the arrest of 13 people and the women from these families have been removed from employment. Who will take care of these families? ” said Najira Bano, a domestic help.
The workers, who are mostly from Bengal, also expressed resentment against Zora Bibi and her family for allegedly trapping them in the violence. Zora Bibi, her husband Abdul Sattar and two children are missing from their tenement for the last five days.
“This is the time for Zora and her husband to be here. The controversy started due to them and we became victims of it. Many people, fearing arrest, have left their houses. We are also afraid that the structures would be razed,” said Mohammad Mushtaq, who lives in one of the shanties near Antriksh Golf View-1.
Residents said that they have allowed those who were not found pelting stones or fighting with guards to resume work. Those participating in the attack on July 12 at the Mahagun Moderne were blacklisted by the society.
“For two to three days, the helps did not show up. Now, most of them have resumed work and the situation is back to normal inside the society,” said Alam Negi, security in-charge of Mahagun Moderne.
Dr Maya John, the convener of GKU, said that the number of helps that have been blacklisted increased from 81 to 141, and they condemned the action. She said,“We are visiting these slums where they are living to make them aware of their rights. The boycott call given by us will be successful within two to three days. We are fighting for their rights and will continue to do so.”
