Protest at Hindustan Pencils factory continues for 10th day, labourers demand justice and compensation

Jammu, 23-04-2026: The protest by workers of Hindustan Pencils Factory at Ploura in Jammu entered its 10th consecutive day , with more than 150 labourers continuing their dharna and demonstration outside the factory gate against what they described as the illegal closure of the unit. The protesting workers, associated with M/s Hindustan Pencils Pvt. Ltd., widely known for Natraj pencils, have accused the management of shutting down the factory without following due legal procedure and without complying with labour laws.

Raising slogans and demanding immediate intervention, the workers said they had been serving in the factory for over two to three decades, but were suddenly left ignored and deprived of their rightful statutory dues. They alleged that the management neither obtained the necessary permission for closure nor issued any formal intimation to the employees before halting operations, leaving hundreds of families in distress and uncertainty.

The workers’ union claimed that the closure was part of a deliberate strategy aimed at doing away with regular employment and replacing it with contractual labour. According to the union, the management acted in a planned manner and avoided any meaningful discussion or negotiation with workers, many of whom had given 30 to 35 years of service to the factory. The protesters alleged that the closure was being used as a pretext to remove long-serving employees without addressing their legal and financial entitlements.

The agitating workers said they had been left with no option but to continue their protest until justice is delivered. They maintained that the issue is not only about closure of a factory, but also about the rights, dignity and livelihood of workers who had spent the prime years of their lives serving the unit. The union argued that such action by the management, if left unchecked, would set a wrong precedent for labour rights and industrial relations in the region.

The union has appealed to the Labour Department to take strict action against the management for allegedly closing the factory in violation of labour laws. It has also demanded that the authorities either compel the management to reopen talks with the workers or ensure that all affected employees are compensated properly under a golden handshake scheme, similar to those reportedly extended in cases involving major industrial units such as Bhilwara, Dajudwala, Hindustan Coca-Cola, Hindustan Lever Ltd. and Himalayan Wool Combers.

Those who addressed the protesting workers included union president Harnam Singh, general secretary Mohinder Lal, Yashpaul, Sharda Devi, Nitu Rani, Reena Sharma, Chanchal Sharma, Arun Katoch and Prem Nath. They urged the administration to intervene without delay and ensure that the workers are not denied justice, livelihood and lawful compensation.