A recent change in the terms of appointment for contract employees of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL) has effectively locked in workers for the duration of their contracts without allowing them the option of leaving for better prospects.
Employees say these conditions, introduced midway through the contract period, are unfair and aimed at discouraging people from exploring better-paying options. The clauses, while increasing the notice period from one to three months for some employees, make it compulsory for them to serve the entire contract period in case their resignation is not approved by the management.
According to sources, the resignations of 10 to 12 employees have been thwarted this way and they have been asked to continue working in spite of wanting to move out of the State. “They told us that our resignations were not accepted by the director (project and planning). In such a case, we cannot get a job elsewhere. They also don’t want us to work for companies that are working on BMRCL projects for a period of two years. Where will the engineers who are experienced in metro work go then?” asked a contract employee who is trying to quit.
The new clauses were inserted into employee contracts by an addendum issued in June, a copy of which is available with The Hindu . The most important clause allows the management to reject resignation and insist that the employee serve his or her tenure.
Another non-compete clause asks for a two-year cooling-off period before the employee can join a contractor, firm or company working on BMRCL projects. “There are several reasons why employees would quit. At BMRCL, the annual appraisal and pay scales have been changed, making it tough to get good hikes. Some of the engineers have personal issues that are forcing them to work closer to their homes. But they are not able to leave peacefully,” the employee said.
However, BMRCL managing director Pradeep Singh Kharola said the management was looking favourably at genuine cases. “We are considering genuine cases and the requests of those who are not employed in critical jobs. These employees can leave by serving the notice period,” he said.
