By Emma Amaize

WARRI-THE crisis in the Delta Steel Company, DSC, Plc, Aladja, Delta State, worsened, yesterday, as the Indian workers in the company, who were protesting alleged non-payment of salaries for upwards one year, stormed the Steel Melting Shop, SMS, section of the company to halt production.

A source told Vanguard that when their bid to halt production failed, the workers chased away all their senior Indian colleagues, leaving the Nigerian workers who returned to work only when payment of their April and May salaries commenced.

It was learnt that due to a financial crunch in the company, it could no longer pay the Indian workers the mouth-watering allowances promised them. This infuriated the workers.

The Indian workers commenced a strike action, last week. They usually report for work in the morning but retire to the Administrative Block where they sit all day without working. They were infuriated, yesterday, when an Indian security officer challenged them to return to their duty posts or face disciplinary action.

The Indian workers reportedly moved to the SMS to halt production, but were unsuccessful as security agents waded in to stop the crisis from degenerating.

The company’s acting General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr. Kes Agbosa, told Vanguard that he was yet to get to office and was not in the position to make comments.

The strike action by the DSC workers over salary arrears started in June by Nigerian workers, who called-off their strike after management promised to start payment.