LLPA General Secretary Mukund Jambaulikar said the decision to launch a hunger-strike was taken at a Special General body meeting of the association held today.

Working at the 12 labour courts, 8 industrial courts, three workmen compensation courts and two wage board courts housed in Arun Chamabers has been crippled for the last 16 days. Labour lawyers in Thane and Nashik too have struck work to express their solidarity. More than 1,500 cases are heard every day at the labour and industrial courts in Mumbai. With lawyers abstaining from work since September 14, nearly 5000litigants suffer every day.

When contacted, State Labour Minister Sabir Shaikh denied that the government had done nothing to meet the lawyers' demand. He said the government issued a resolution only this afternoon alloting an additional floor at New Administrative Building at Bandra (East). He said earlier there was only 18,000 sq feet space available, but now with the additional floor the total space available would be 26,000 sq kilometer.

He said that the government has decided to allot 26,000 square meters for the 12 labour, 8 industrial and five commissioners for workmen compensation and wage board courts. Earlier, the government had alloted only 18,000 square meters at the new premises which was strongly opposed by the lawyers as the present premises at Arun Chambers is 26,000 square meters.

The decision to allot an additional floor was taken at a meeting presided over by the chief secretary today. Government officials however stated that it will take another three months to shift thecourts.

Jambaulikar said that late this afternoon, the association had recieved the Government resolution (GR) where an additional 8000 square feet has been alloted to house the courts. He said that the members of the association will meet the chief secretary to discuss the modalities of the GR and the immediate shifting of the premises this Saturday and then decide further course of action at the Special General body meeting of the LLPA which will be held on Monday, October 5. Till then the lawyers decision to go on a 24-hour chain hunger strike from Tuesday onwards will continue, he added.

More than 1500 cases are heard on daily basis at the labour and industrial courts and with the lawyers abstaining from work since September 14 nearly 5000 litigants are affected every day.