Bogala graphite miners stage underground Satyagraha

Around 50 workers have commenced a Satyagraha inside the Bogala Graphite Mine, some 1670 feet from the surface, based on several demands. 

The inter-company workers’ union says that the strike action and Satyagraha was launched against the failure to increase wages, not fulfilling employee demands and for the violation of workers’ rights. 

The strike, which was commenced by the Bogala branch of the inter-company workers’ union, has reportedly resulted in operation at the mine coming to a complete standstill.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bogala Graphite Lanka PLC, Amila Jayasinghe, stated that the management had received several demands including an increase of salaries by Rs 10,000 and uniforms for employees.

However, the strike was launched by a group of workers despite being informed of the difficulty in fulfilling such demands as the company had only recorded a profit of Rs 154,000 in the past year, he told Ada Derana.