Surat’s oldest cooperative-run dairy, Choryasi Dairy, is facing a severe financial crisis, leaving its employees unpaid for the past three months. As a result, 110 workers have submitted a written complaint to the Surat Provident Fund Commissioner, Collector, District Registrar and the dairy’s General Manager, demanding immediate payment of pending salaries.
In their complaint, the employees alleged that salaries, PF contributions, leave entitlements and bonuses are not being paid on time. They claimed that salaries are often delayed by two to three months and that no payment has been made for the last three months, causing serious financial hardship.
The workers further alleged that repeated requests to the dairy management for timely salary and PF payments have gone unanswered. They also claimed that since March, employees have not received leave benefits or bonuses as per provisions. According to the employees, management officials allegedly dismiss their complaints and ask them to “do whatever they want,” forcing workers to approach authorities for intervention.
Responding to the allegations, Choryasi Dairy president Nareshbhai Patel said the dairy has been operating since before Independence and procures milk from another state. He said the dairy earlier employed 289 workers, while about 210 are currently on its rolls. The dairy pays around 32 lakh in salaries and deposits nearly 5 lakh towards PF every month.
Patel alleged that some employees are attempting to hold the cooperative hostage. He said the dairy currently handles about 8,000 litres of milk daily and has made representations to the concerned departments seeking relief.
He further clarified that salaries have not been deliberately withheld and are being paid as funds are received. Efforts are being made to reduce the financial burden, as the dairy is currently overstaffed and facing a monthly loss of nearly 12 lakh, apart from interest liabilities on PF dues and loans. Patel added that the management has approached the District Registrar and PF Commissioner seeking a scheme to lay off around 100 inefficient employees, though no approval has been granted so far.