More than 40 employees of KC Das, the iconic Kolkata-origin sweet maker credited with popularising the rossogolla, have gone on strike at its Bengaluru outlets over unpaid salaries stretching back eight months, forcing all five city branches to shut down.
As per reports, KC Das outlets across Bengaluru, including the long-standing St Marks Road branch, had suspended operations. Staff have alleged that their salaries have remained unpaid for eight months, and that provident fund (PF) contributions have not been deposited for the past two years. Employees have reportedly filed a complaint with the Karnataka Labour Department, saying their inability to receive statutory benefits has placed them in severe financial distress.
Staff told local media that they have been struggling to meet daily expenses, including family maintenance, EMIs and essential household purchases. Some women employees have reportedly pledged jewellery to make ends meet during the extended pay delay.
The employees said they had raised the matter with the company’s Kolkata-based senior director, who released roughly 50% of the pending dues, but the balance has not been cleared. The impasse has now escalated into a full strike, with all five Bengaluru outlets ceasing operations.
Director Dhiman Das, a direct descendant of the founder, had previously spoken of plans to expand the brand to Mumbai, Delhi and Dubai. The current labour dispute, however, has drawn sharp attention to governance and payroll challenges at the heritage brand, with workers alleging that extended non-payment of statutory dues has gone unresolved despite internal escalations.
