AMTUC urges MSPDCL to grant social security to contract employees
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 24 2021: All Manipur Trade Union Council (AMTUC) has mounted strong pressure on the authority concerned for granting social security to contract employees of Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL).

In a statement, AMTUC president Th Gya-nen said that no social security has been given to around 200 contract employees of MSPDCL who have been working for the company for more than six years now.

These employees are working amidst COVID-19 pandemic with meagre wages while putting their lives at risk.

State special office of the Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) should issue prosecution notice to MSPDCL while understanding conditions of contract employees, the statement said, adding that contract employees should be given social security by conducting an enquiry immediately under Section 7-A (code of civil procedure) of Employees Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952 .

MSPDCL engaged MRCBD and contract employees including more than 70 computer operators since the year 2014/2015 and regional EPF office had already intimated the company about taking retrospective effect for these employees with effect from January 1, 2014 and take up necessary action.

However, it was very unfortunate that EPF state special office is yet to take any action, the statement said and urged authority concerned to take immediate action or else AMTUC will intervene in this regard.

On the other hand, the AMTUC statement said that the migrant workers issue is certain to crop up in Manipur after the end of COVID-19 pandemic.

Taking the matter seriously, AMTUC appealed to labour department to take proper care while issuing ILP permit to migrant workers.

It said that issuance of contract labour and licence should be put in public domain first.

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