Falcon Badli workers allege labour law violations

Assn president claims that OT, salary hike and other facilities denied

Two Badli workers from Falcon Tyres Limited climbed a chimney, over 150 feet in height, recently, to register their protest. The protest brought to the fore the controversy surrounding a section of Badli workers and the company management, with the former continuing their demand for regularisation of their services.

Honorary president of Falcon Tyres Badli Workers Association Narasimharaj Urs, following the incident, has levelled serious charges against the company. Apart from violating the Standing Orders, with respect to labourers, he has alleged that the management has also misled the Courts, to deny benefits to Badli Workers.

He said, labour laws, such as double payment for working overtime, hike in salary of labourers and others have been violated.

According to Narasimharaj, the Standing Orders of the company, under Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, Badli workers ‘shall be preferred’ for vacant posts, in case a permanent vacancy arises, on account of superannuation, termination or resignation of a permanent employee.

“However, the company has not given preference of employment for Badli workers, even after more than 150 permanent employees have retired in the past one decade,” he said. Narasimharaj said, the Association represents 180 of the 300 Badli workers of the company.

He alleged that the company management and permanent employees have colluded to rob these Badli workers of their benefits. “The company hires relatives of employees, who opt for Voluntary Separation from the company. In some cases, the persons hired and the retired employee have no relationship at all,” he complained.

“In several labour disputes, the Supreme Court has ruled that a person who works for more than 240 out of 365 days in a year, is eligible to be absorbed into the company. There are several Badli workers, who have worked for 365 days a year, while a majority have worked for more than 240 days,” he said.

Meeting

However, a meeting convened on February 10, has raised the hopes of Badli workers. The meeting to be chaired by the Assistant Labour Commissioner, representatives of the company management and Badli workers will look into the dispute. “The local management will also announce a date, during which the top management of the company, will chair a meeting with the Labour department and Badli workers,” he added.