Mysuru – Employees of Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) staged a flash protest yesterday opposing new appointments of contract workers.

Over 23 new contract employees came to the KSIC factory premises on the Manandavadi Road to report to work. Seeing this, more than 500 KSIC employees staged their protest and asked the management not to appoint new contract workers.

KSIC General Manager B. Krishnappa, who intervened and requested the protesters to take back their strike, was told by Employees Association President Kalappa that the management had taken a unilateral decision of appointing 23 contract workers. All these years, appointment issues were discussed with the Labour Department.

The protesters said that the employees of KSIC were working for the company since ages with a paltry salary and have contributed to the growth and profit of the company.

“The children of these employees must be given jobs and here MLA Somashekar, who is also the KSIC Chairman, has sanctioned appointments as per his whims and fancies,” the employees alleged.

Krishnappa pacified the protesters and said that he would discuss this issue with the KSIC Chairman and the employees and only then the appointments will be made. The protest was later withdrawn.