A month after the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) brought the shutters down of nearly 86 leather companies at Ranipet, the livelihood of hundreds of workers have been hit. They have urged the district administration to consider their plight and permit re-opening of the units.
The companies, all member units of Ranipet SIDCO Finished Leather Effluent Treatment Company, faced closure following the wall collapse of a Secure Landfill Facility (SLF) at the Common Effluent Treatment Plant that killed 10 workers on January 31.
Power supply disconnected
The TNPCB had ordered immediate disconnection of power supply and closed down the units saying that the SLF was constructed illegally.
With no job for a month, the workers said that their lives hang in the balance. The livelihood of at least 50,000 persons, employed directly and indirectly, were affected, they said.
“We have been sitting at home for one month and did not receive salary too. Other than employees of these companies, many others are dependent on the units for a livelihood. This includes load men, trimmers and vehicle drivers,” said R. Sundaramoorthy, a leather assorter.
For persons like Mr. Sundaramoorthy and his colleague Sathyakumar, with more than 20 years of experience in this field, this was the first time that such an incident has taken place.
Petition to collector
On Monday, nearly 300 to 400 employees of six companies from Ranipet SIDCO Industrial Estate and SIPCOT submitted a petition to officials at the Collector’s office. They sought restoration of power supply and re-opening of the companies.
Padmapriya, who works as a personnel manager at another company, said both LT/HT electricity connection to these units had been cut.
“If this situation continues, it will become difficult to manage our families. People working in these companies only know the work in the tanneries. Though many are residents of the same area there are others who have come from far to make a living here,” she said.
In dire straits
Many employees pointed out that they were unable to pay for their house rent, medical expenses, food and children school fees without the month’s salary.
In some of the families, both the husband and wife were employed at these companies.
Govindammal, who works for a salary of Rs. 4,700 a month, said many like her were solely dependent on this salary. “ We are hoping that the officials will come to our aid soon,” she said.
