JOIN USAbout 700 contract employees of Suzlon Company who were expelled without prior notice laid siege to the company office on Monday.
The protesters demanded job security and suspension of the expulsion order. They shouted slogans and tried to enter the office premises by demolishing the walls of the structure.
Sushanth S Salian, a diploma holder, told DH that the contracts are through companies like Spectrum, DTS, YSF, Unitech and SSPL.
“Suzlon manufactures three sizes of blades in three different units. There are 700 employees working in one unit and 400 in another. In March, the employees in one unit reached their target of 1,000 sets and 400 employees in the unit were shifted to the other unit. Consequently, 700 employees working in the first unit were removed from the job, citing financial crisis,” he explained.
Sukesh K said they were informed about the suspension when they came to office on Monday. There is no PF, ESI and other bonus facilities which were assured earlier.
Poornima, who is working for seven years, said the employees are made to work for more than 12 hours as against eight hours as per the Labour Act. They were not allowed to enter the office on Monday.
Harini said, “The company officials are asking us to take four-month leave, which is unjust. They are advising us to go to Ananthpur and Puducherry. We are locals and they have snatched away our livelihood source. The employees from Madhya Pradesh and other North Indian states have been retained. There is no proof for completion of the term. The PF number is also changed every month.” She demanded three-month salary in advance.
Malathi said that women are made to clean elevated places that have no support. “Over time duty is not compensated, she complained. We are treated as bonded labours. Still we manage to give our best. However, the company was ungrateful and removed us from the job.”
Talks held
Kaup MLA Vinay Kumar Sorake, tahsildar Maheshchandar and labour officers, who intervened, held talks with the company officials. The tahsildar said the company’s human resource department has been directed to pay the full salary till April 8, the last date of their work.
“Besides, 50% of two months’ salary should be paid by May 31 as one month’s salary or 50% from two-month salary. The pending arrears and bonus should be given within a week. If the company receives more orders and employment is generated, the workers should be taken back. If any new Company takes over the blade manufacturing units, it should consider these employees,” the officer said.