The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) laid off 264 workers at the Central Workshop at Pappanamcode on Thursday. Those who were dismissed from service included empanelled workers and those recruited through the employment exchange.
In a circular issued by the KSRTC Executive Director (Technical), the bus body building works on the available chassis were in its final phase. Under the circumstances, the management pointed out that it was not possible to retain the services of workers, other than those in the electrical, painting, upholstery and glass fitting trades. The affected employees, who had been informed that they need not report for work from Friday onwards, were also directed to return their identity cards and duty passes.
Protesting against the decision, the terminated employees gheraoed N. Bhadranandan, mechanical engineer and head of the central workshop and demanded that that the order be withdrawn. According to R. Padmakumar, one of the agitators, those who were affected included employees who have been in service for around 10 years.
“While the company has faced similar crisis in the past, the management had never resorted to such measures. Instead, workers were absorbed in various depots across the State. Cost-cutting measures must not be at the cost of our livelihood,” he said.
