Industrial Town Reels as Layoffs in Steel and Mining Sectors Spark Uncertainty
Once a symbol of industrial strength in Bengal’s heartland, Asansol is now facing the bitter reality of economic downturns. In the past month alone, over 500 workers from various steel and coal-linked manufacturing units have been either laid off or served termination notices, sending shockwaves through the region’s workforce.
Major private operators in the IISCO Steel Plant vicinity and smaller units in the Durgapur-Asansol industrial belt have cited rising input costs, supply chain disruptions, and a decline in domestic steel demand as key reasons behind the job cuts.
Workers Caught Off-Guard
Most of the affected workers are contract-based, making them especially vulnerable. Ratan Prasad, a 39-year-old machine operator, says he was asked to leave without notice after 14 years of service.
“We’ve built our lives around these factories. My son studies in a private school, and now I don’t know how I’ll pay the fees,” he said, standing outside the gate of a shuttered unit near Kulti.
Many local families depend entirely on steel or mining-related income. For them, this wave of layoffs is not just financial—it’s emotional and generational.
Local Economy Takes a Hit
Beyond the plants, the ripple effect is already visible. Roadside eateries, transportation contractors, and daily wage laborers in Jamuria and Burnpur are reporting declining incomes. Several small vendors around the industrial hubs have already shut shop.
Economists suggest this is a reflection of a national trend, where mid-sized manufacturing towns face the brunt of global commodity fluctuations and automation-led workforce reductions.
Prof. Manojit Banerjee, an economist at a Durgapur-based think tank, warns that “without a regional industrial revival plan, Asansol may lose its manufacturing identity altogether.”
Political Reactions and Protest Calls
Local trade unions have started mobilizing, accusing factory management of exploiting contractual loopholes and ignoring labor rights. On Thursday, CPIM-backed unions staged a dharna outside the office of a prominent steel operator, demanding job reinstatement and wage clearance.
TMC MLA from Raniganj, Arup Chakraborty, called for a special industrial session in the Assembly to discuss Asansol’s worsening employment graph. The state labor department, however, has yet to issue an official statement.
What’s Next for Asansol?
Many affected workers are now seeking employment in nearby states, particularly in Jharkhand and Odisha, where mining activity remains relatively stable. Some younger workers are turning to skill training programs, hoping to transition into logistics or service-sector roles.
For Asansol, this moment marks more than just a series of layoffs—it signals a crisis of confidence in one of Bengal’s oldest industrial strongholds.
Unless urgent policy action follows, the city’s future as an industrial hub remains in question.
