Explosives firm staff seek salary, PF arrears

The workers said, there are around 300 employees in the explosives factory working in various capacities. “I was working as boiler operator in the unit for the past nine years for a salary of Rs 6,500 per month. The firm owes me overtime wage for 112 days and the PF amount. When I approached the manager for the dues, he told me that the unit is shut and the dues can be given only if the production commences,” said K Karuppaiah, an ex-employee.  He also said that the factory administration has asked the workers to meet the District Collector who is the sole authority to decide on the fate of the factory. 

Similarly, another operator Murugesan said that he has been working in the unit for more than five years and he too has to get the arrears of 104 days overtime wages and PF. Meanwhile, the members who came to meet the Collector demanded him to open the unit so that they may get employment. 

However, the Collector citing the court direction and the CB-CID inquiry, told that he cannot decide on this time but he promised to get their dues from the factory authorities. It may be noted that the explosion in the Vetrivel Explosives unit not only claimed 19 lives but also injured 10 persons.