After a long Hiatus the Tiger has roared again. Bhartiya Kamgar Sena (BKS) — the labour wing of Shiv Sena, forced Big Bazaar, the hypermarket chain of Pantaloon Retail to close all its stores in Mumbai. It is believed that the BKS is upset by the termination of 120 of its members who were earlier employed and trained by the retail chain. Reports even suggest that 120 Maharashtrian employees were terminated and replaced by low cost North Indian employees.
This comes a week after Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray, sent out a warning to all retail malls in Mumbai that they should give first preference to local youth in jobs or else be ready for severe consequences.
Pantaloon Retail has attributed the termination of employees to delays in receiving occupation certificates for new stores from statutory authorities. The company insists that it has served a week’s notice to all terminated employees, as required under the terms and conditions of the contract.
Pantaloon Retail has agreed to take back the terminated employees once its new stores open. Company officials said that the terminations are pending and final decision will be taken only after talking to Shiv Sena.