Tata Power Workers Fume as OT Pay Talks Collapse Over Deputy Labour Commissioner’s Absence

Union Threatens Strike; Says Three Months of Delays Have Exhausted Workers’ Patience

Key Points:

• Scheduled OT pay talks cancelled as Deputy Labour Commissioner stays absent
• Workers demand double-rate overtime pay from Tata Power and contractor RK Erector
• Union vice-president Ambuj Kumar Thakur warns of strike if issue stays unresolved

JAMSHEDPUR — A crucial conciliation meeting scheduled on Monday at the office of the Deputy Labour Commissioner over the non-payment of overtime at double rates to workers employed at Tata Power could not be held, as the officer was absent from his office.

The development has triggered sharp anger among the workers. Ambuj Kumar Thakur, vice-president of the Tata Power Mazdoor Union and AITUC state secretary, had arrived for the talks along with other union representatives.

“Workers had hoped that they would get justice in this temple of justice,” Thakur said. “However, it is surprising that even after nearly three months, all they are getting is date after date.”

He alleged that both Tata Power and its contracting firm R.K. Erector have been showing little regard for the Deputy Labour Commissioner’s proceedings. “It appears that neither company is taking the authority seriously,” he added.

Thakur warned that if the matter is not resolved soon, workers will go on strike. He said that in such an event, the entire responsibility would lie with the Deputy Labour Commissioner.

The demand concerns payment of overtime at double the regular rate, which workers say has been denied to them despite being their legal entitlement under labour law. Under the Factories Act and other labour statutes in India, workers are entitled to twice their ordinary wage rate for overtime hours worked.

Present at Monday’s scheduled talks were Tata Power Mazdoor Union general secretary N.N. Pal, Dhananjay Shukla, Pawan Kumar, and Dilip Kumar.

Earlier this year, AITUC had warned Tata Power workers to join a strike called in February. A trade union meeting had also been held ahead of that strike. The workers’ grievances at Tata Power have been simmering for several months now.