Around two dozens of retrenched officers of the Birla Tyres, Chhanpur unit, have been left high and dry after they were allegedly asked to quit without any monetary compensation and future security.
Sources said as many as 23 officers working in different units of the plant were shown the door ever since the company adopted cutting down the manpower from May this year.
“For about 25 years or more we were working dedicatedly for the plant but all of sudden the company management served a notice for taking voluntary retirement. The initial notice while mentioning about the scheme said monetary compensation, maximum limit up to Rs 9 lakh, opting VRS , was applicable for all except directors , yet after a few hours another amended notice was served stating the scheme would be applicable only to the regular workmen,” said the retrenched officers.
“While no officers opted the scheme, we were forcibly asked to resign. And one of us was terminated when he didn’t oblige.
The company didn’t give us anything except our gratuity and leave encashment, besides three months’ salary,” they said asking, “Why should we be deprived financial compensationIJ”
The officers said that they had approached everybody, including the local MP, the MlA, the district Collector and the labour department authorities but to no avail.
They alleged that three dates, for having a tripartite talk, involving the management, labour department and laid off officers , have lapsed without any outcome as the management avoided the meeting on some pretext or the other.
The tyre producing company had about 350 officers and was extending its production range by installing a PCR unit here .
The PCR unit while was put on hold, the company resorted to manpower cutting in the plea of loss to the unit.
District labour officer Kuber Behera said, “An inquiry is underway.”