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22 October, 2010Trade union leaders remain in jail for the 14th day. Outraged trade unionists, common people and opposition political parties staged a massive demonstration in support of Foxconn workers at Chennai.
INDIA: Trade union leaders and workers who were arrested on October 9 have not been released so far. The state government apparently pressurised the Kanchipuram district sessions court Judge to go on casual leave so that, the workers jail term can be extended. If the session's court denies bail on Friday, it will leave little time for the union to approach High court tomorrow itself. Thus the arrested leaders and workers can be kept in jail during the weekend as the High court will be on leave.
Workers, local trade unionists and opposition party leaders from Tamilnadu gathered at City memorial Hall and staged massive protest demonstration on October 21 and called upon the government of Tamilnadu to unconditionally release the arrested trade union leaders and withdraw all the charges. Trade union leaders in Tamilnadu expressed their outrage over gratuitous handcuffing of the arrested trade union leaders and workers, when they were brought to the court. CITU leaders warned the government of Tamilnadu that, unless the leaders are released, they will launch a state-wide continuous protest.
See IMF's previous story and the letter to Indian Authorities.
See Labour Start's Action alert - India: Over 500 workers jailed in dispute with Foxconn