Worker woes flicker at Sikkim Jewels as closure date approaches

SUBASH RAI
GANGTOK, 24 March: As the deadline for the winding up of three Public Sector Undertakings - Sikkim Jewels, SITCO and SPIL – approaches nearer, potential problems for the Department of Commerce & Industries are also mounting.
Speaking on behalf of the106 workers at Sikkim Jewels Ltd., a 5-member committee, today expressed dissatisfaction over the financial settlement worked out for them by their management as part of the Special Financial Package [SFP] announced by the State Government for the employees of these PSUs being shut down.

“On 09 March, our Managing Director called a meeting and informed us about the winding up. A slip, detailing the ‘workout’ amount was handed over to every worker,” said a member of the committee while speaking to NOW!
“We are not aware of when or how the management worked out this package because we were not taken into confidence,” a committee member added, claiming that the offered amount was not fair.
A major proportion of the special financial package, they contend, comprises of their own providend fund and other maturities with the SFP making up an unfairly negligible portion.
The workers were even more agitated this morning when their management reportedly informed them that the package could further decrease because the total settlement package for the three PSUs declared earlier has been reduced to Rs. 20.10 crores.
“We were informed through the newspapers that the Industries Department had arranged around Rs. 25 crore for the financial package,” the committee members said.
As per what the management has offered, the minimum amount to be received by a permanent employee, who will now be relieved, is Rs. 4.40 lakhs, inclusive of their own service dues.
“With this amount, we can’t even buy a piece of land in Sikkim and the concerned authority should keep in mind that we are becoming jobless now, after having given our golden years to this unit. Everyone in this unit has at least four people dependent on their earning,” the committee member said, adding that the minimum amount payable should be above Rs. 10 lakhs, as already requested in a letter submitted to the Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling back in the year 2009.
The committee adds, “If this cannot be done, the Government could consider given us employment in another PSU on at par facilities.”
The workers further informed that regarding these issues, the management had earlier assured appointment with the Chief Minister, who according to them, has supported the Sikkim Jewels and its employees in all aspects in the past.
“When the management’s assurance failed to materialise, we started trying ourselves to meet the Chief Minister and the CMO has assured to fix an appointment after the budget session,” the committee members said.
“Now, our only hope lies with the Chief Minister and we are confident that he will listen to our grievance,” they said.
Sikkim Jewels Ltd. was established in the year 1972 as a private limited company run by a board of directors. VJ Ferwani and his father JS Ferwani, who also established Sikkim Fruit Preservation Factory near Singtam, were the first Managing Director and Technical Director respectively. It was converted into a PSU in the year 1989. The Micron Jewels, a product of the unit, used to sell even in Switzerland, the workers informed today.
“I joined this unit 33 years ago on salary of Rs. 162 per month,” remembers a 55-year-old employee.
The Industries Department has fixed 30 April as the last salaried working day for the employees at all the three PSUs.