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Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Sikkim Jewels workers stumped by unpaid PF deposits despite deduction from salaries

EMPLOYEES CONVINCED THAT ONLY CM CAN RESOLVE THEIR PLIGHT
GANGTOK, 28 March: Another shock has hit the workers at Sikkim Jewels. Already on tenterhooks since they will soon be without jobs since the unit is winding up, they have now learnt that the Provident Fund, deducted every month from their salaries, has not been deposited to their personal accounts for the last 10 months.
Not only the PF, even the personal loan installments and LIC premiums, also deducted from their salaries, have not been deposited with the concerned authorities for the last 4-5 months, they contend.
“We learnt of this only when we were informed of the arrears by the banks and in some cases found that the outstanding amounts had been deducted from our saving accounts,” contended one of the members of the Sikkim Jewels worker’s committee, formed to speak on behalf of the 106 employees of the unit.

With so much happening, what has disgruntled them further is that that their Managing Director has proceed on medical leave.
“We even went to his residence, but were not allowed to meet him,” another member informed.
He adds, “We are really shocked. He is acting this way when we are in great need of his guidance and support.”
They also contended that a file proposing additional package for Sikkim Jewels employees, in addition to what the Commerce & Industries Department is offering as Special Financial Package, has been forwarded by the management with the amount proposed at Rs. 2 crores.
“We had personally requested the MD that the amount should not be less than Rs. 5 crores because the Chief Minister, in a meeting with the worker some time back, had assured all possible help to us, as and when the time came,” they said.
The committee members allege that the Rs. 2 crores proposal was put up by the management without taking the worker’s into confidence.
The workers have now demanded that the management level of the unit should also receive the same settlement as them and nothing more special.
“If the government provides the MD with alternative employment, then we must also be accorded the same consideration,” the members demanded.
They also questioned how their MD was enjoying the benefits of the IVth Pay Commission, implemented in the State in the year 2009, while they remained denied.
“If our MD can push his personal file and enjoy the benefits, we should also be allowed the same facilities,” they contend.
On future prospects, the committee members said, “Now, all hope lies with the Chief Minister and we are convinced that an amicable solution to our problems will be worked out after our meeting with him.”
The CMO has assured the committee members of an appointment with the Chief Minister after the budget session.
Meanwhile, members have also expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister for bringing in and passing Resolution No. 2 of 2011 “seeking exemption from payment of Income Tax under the Income Tax Act, 1961 for the left out categories of persons” residing in Sikkim.
The committee said that this was an honest effort of the Chief Minister to lobby this demand with the Centre.

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