IRAN-Another Showdown

April 7, 1979 nivance with the government, was in fact buying time to settle the disputes within the framework of the same ad hoc increase as was done in NTC mills, The trade unions under the control of left front partners were equally eager for a settlement. During the discussions, two TU bosses who are directors of NTC reportedly said that industrywise settlement will also be binding upon the NTC mills. But it is now clear the authority has hardly any desire to honour the tripartite wage settlement for it is not the NTC but the Bengal Mill Owners Association which is a party to the said agreement. Meanwhile the NTC workmen have started agitating. The campaign was opened by AITUC-led Textile Workers' Federation with a telegram to the Union industry minister asking him to intervene. But the implementation of industrywise settlement will not be an easy matter in the NTC mills since the Union industry minister is waiting with a Bill to amend industry regulation which seeks a moratorium of 5 to 8 years on disputes in industrial units taken over or managed by the government.