COTEE urges withdrawal of order deploying workers via Overseas Manpower Corporation

CHENNAI: The Central Organisation of Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees (COTEE) has urged the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) to withdraw its directive allowing the deployment of workers through the Overseas Manpower Corporation Ltd (OMCL) to fill vacant posts.

Its general secretary T Jaishankar said in a letter to TNEB CMD that the instruction, issued following the latter’s note dated July 19, and the Chief Engineer (Personnel) memorandum dated July 22, violated existing tripartite agreements and government regulations.

It may be noted that DT Next had carried an article dated September 25 on the OMCL chairman Sajansingh R Chavan writing to the Electricity Department secretary on the appointment of workers through a consolidated payment basis and subsequent approval given by the TNPDCL for such appointments.

The scheme fixes monthly wages ranging from Rs 13,000 for jobs such as watchmen or sweepers, to Rs 40,000 for managerial positions. The departments must also pay an 8.4% service charge, including a 5% cut for OMCL, along with 18% GST on the combined amount. OMCL said the centralised system would ensure the timely deployment of manpower and reduce administrative burden.

COTEE said the directive allowing superintending engineers in distribution circles to engage personnel through OMCL was contrary to the 2018 workload agreement and also violated GO No. 950, dated August 8, 1990, which, based on a Supreme Court ruling, prohibits the engagement of contract workers in permanent positions.

“The continued deployment of contract labour in regular posts, despite a GO and court ruling, is inappropriate and detrimental to the principles of fair labour practice,” the letter added.

It warned that continuing to employ contract workers without entering into a new workload agreement or filling sanctioned vacancies could strain industrial relations, and urged the CMD to revoke the orders.