Owners of Dosti Flamingo estate find themselves at the mercy of a union, which means they can't hire new help or sack those who aren't working
Owners of Dosti Flamingo estate find themselves at the mercy of a union, which means they can't hire new help or sack those who aren't working 
When a building society pays Rs 1 crore a year on security alone, you don't expect the residents to complain about security guards. But the 500 flat owners of Dosti Flamingos, four buildings constructed in what used to be the China Mill land in Sewri, are doing just that. At the time of buying their costly flats, what the residents didn't know was that they would have to hire mill workers residing in the area, as security guards and domestic helpu00a0-- many, they complain, aren't fit to perform these roles on account of age and competence.
And when they sack them, the mill workers union forces the residents to hire them back.u00a0"The security guards, all of whom are mill workers don't perform their duty well. They let in anyone they want to and whenever we say anything to them, their union leader barges into the society," said a resident, who did not wish to be named.
"As residents of the society, we pay money but can't decide who should be working for us. We do not have the right to comment on the quality of their work. Why should we pay them?" he asked.
The residents claim there had been burglary at the colony last year, during which the windscreen of two cars were broken and stereos stolen. "There were 40 guards in the compound then, but everyone claimed ignorance about the theft the following morning," said an office bearer.
Harinath Tiwari, union leader of Girni Kamgar Karmachari Nivara ani Kalyankari Sangh, said, "The mill workers are supposed to get work under the rules set. The allegations made by the residents are baseless, including the theft allegation. I have requested the residents to bring all complaints against the mill workers to me. But they have never brought anything to my notice. The mill workers work to earn their livelihood, but it seems that the residents are prejudiced against them."
Even as Dosti Builders, the builders of Dosti Flamingos, have appealed to a state-appointed monitoring committee regarding the matter which is now sub judice, the residents are clamouring that they be allowed to hire and fire workers without interference.
"The colony has helped the local economy grow stronger. But when it comes to giving work to mill workers, they want to choose the work they do. We had offered other jobs to them, but they want to be security guards only. Many of them are above 52 years, but we are being forced to keep them to protect us," complained one resident.
Voices
We have appealed to the monitoring committee. The matter is sub judice so it's not appropriate to speak about it. --u00a0Deepak Garodia, owner, Dosti Group
If a mill worker isn't doing his work properly then he will be thrown out. --u00a0Harinath Tiwari, union leader
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