A total number of 909 workers serving with Mysore Paper Mills (MPM), a public sector undertaking in Bhadravati have submitted their willingness letters for the voluntary retirement scheme (VRS).
It may be mentioned here that the management had issued a notification on May 26 inviting willingness letters for VRS. May 29 was the last date for submission of these letters. The firm has total workforce of 2,300. This includes 1,200 permanent workers and 1,100 workers serving on a contract basis.
Awaiting govt. nod
Of the 909 workers who have expressed their willingness for VRS, 471 are permanent workers and 448 workers are serving on a contract basis. It is said that after receiving the letters, the management will calculate the financial liabilities of VRS and will submit a report to the State government in this regard. The State government would take a call on the issue after seeking the opinions of senior officers of Finance, Law and Labour departments. The management is likely to make a formal announcement on VRS after getting the nod from State government in this regard.
Call for survey
C.S. Shivamurthy, president, MPM Employees Association, told The Hindu that prior to going ahead on the VRS, the management should conduct a survey on the number of workers required to ensure the normal functioning of the firm. The remaining workers can be asked to opt for VRS if they are willing. It is necessary to conduct a survey on the actual workforce and the requirement in each section of both the paper and sugar factories of the firm, he said.
Mr. Shivamurthy also said that confusion prevails on the actual benefits they would get from opting for VRS.
