UPCL workers demand higher pay

‘Company should hire more local than from other States’

Members of the Udupi Power Corporation Mazdoor Sangha staging a dharna at the main entrance of UPCL thermal plant at Yellur in Udupi on Monday.

Members of the Udupi Power Corporation Mazdoor Sangha staged a sit-in in front of the main entrance of the coal-based thermal plant of Udupi Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) at Yellur in Udupi district on Monday, demanding basic facilities for the workers.

In a memorandum addressed to the Administrative Officer of UPCL and submitted to two officers of UPCL, the workers’ union said that a large number of local workers employed by various contractors were working at the UPCL since 2005. They had put in a lot of hard work in establishing the plant. But the company management had not provided them with basic facilities and higher salaries, which was unfair.

Demands

The company should give a minimum salary of Rs. 10,000 a month for employees working at the lower level of the hierarchy. The salaries should be revised every year and bonus given annually.

In case of the death of a worker on duty in an accident at the plant, his family members should be given a relief of Rs. 5 lakh. If a worker became disabled during such an accident, he should be given a relief of Rs. 10 lakh. They should be provided with residential and vehicle facilities.

The company should hire more locals. The company should bear the medical expenses of the workers, provide them with health cards and hold a medical camp annually.

Ashwin Devadiga, member of the Advisory Committee of the Sangha told The Hindu that operators, security staff and those in maintenance department took part in the protest.