Haldwani: : The protest by industrial workers spread to Haldwani in Uttarakhand on Monday, when over 500 workers at the Motherson factory in Motahaldu on Bareilly Road protested over alleged exploitation, long and tiring work shifts and substandard food in the company canteen.Tension prevailed as heavy police force was deployed to maintain law and order at the multinational company that specializes in manufacturing wiring harnesses for the automobile industry.Employees alleged that they were forced to work 12-hour shifts instead of the standard eight hours without adequate compensation. Women workers said they often faced verbal abuse from management and were restricted from taking basic water breaks or using the toilet.Alleging that substandard food is provided in the company canteen, employees said “undercooked rice and insect-infested food” is common.There were allegations that the workers were transported in poorly maintained company buses.The protesters submitted a 14-point demand letter to the administration, including a minimum monthly wage of ₹20,000, immediate reinstatement of recently fired colleagues and full payment for overtime at double the standard rate.“Our basic salary is ₹12,500, but after deductions, we take home ₹10,000 to ₹11,000,” said an employee. He further said, “The management cuts our salaries if we arrive a little late for work, and stops tea and lunch breaks if targets are not met.”Deputy Labor Commissioner provided assistance after negotiations Kamal JoshiThe company accepted 12 out of 14 demands. Motahaldu Plant HR Subhash Tiwari said that the salary increase will be done after the official government order (GO) comes.Meanwhile, social activist Piyush Joshi, who participated in the peaceful protest, alleged that Inspector Harpal Singh held his neck, assaulted him and threatened him with physical harm.Nainital SSP Manjunath TC has taken cognizance of the matter and has directed SP (crime and traffic) Jagdish Chandra to conduct a thorough investigation, SP (city) Manoj Kumar Katyal told TOI.