The workers of Mysore Paper Mills (MPM), a public sector undertaking in Bhadravati, took out a 17 km bike jatha from Bhadravati to Shivamogga city on Monday to register their protest against the reduction in the financial allocation for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS).
As part of the protest, a demonstration was held at the premises of Deputy Commissioner’s office in the city. Addressing the gathering, C.S. Shivamurthy, president, MPM Workers’ Association said the State government had announced VRS for the workers in December 2016 and had earmarked an amount of ₹396 crore for the purpose. It is unfortunate that against this amount, only ₹185 crore has been released. The workers will be deprived of many statutory benefits they are legally entitled to as a result of the reduction in the allocation for VRS package. The maximum ceiling of ₹8.50 lakh fixed for financial compensation package for each worker under the VRS was also unscientific, he said.
Mr. Shivamurthy said that the workers would reject the VRS as it was against their interests. Production has been halted at the firm by the State government from November 2015 citing the losses. The government should backtrack from its plan to trim the workforce at the firm through VRS and later hand it over to a private party on long term lease basis. The government should take measures to recommence full-fledged production at the firm and provide funds necessary for its modernisation, he said.
The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the office of Deputy Commissioner in this regard.
