LABOUR

Printing Workers of Calcutta Timir Basu PRINTING is one of the oldest industries in Calcutta. The oldest printing establishment was that of the Baptist Mission, Its bold signboard, "Printers in Forty Languages', is no longer to be seen in Calcutta since it declared a lockout of its more than 300 employees some years ago in order really to wind up its business. There are many presses each employing 200 and more workers in which the labour laws are framed by the owners themselves. Retrenchment and victimisation are rampant in these establishments. The small enterprises have a quick turnover of workers.