SC issues notice on NLC's plea

New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Monday sought reply from the trade unions on a petition filed by state-run Neyveli Lignite Corporation's appeal challenging the Madras High Court order that asked it to absorb more than 12,000 contract labourers.
A bench headed by Justice C K Thakker, while issuing notice to the seven trade unions, also continued its interim stay on the High Court order.
The apex court on April 10 had stayed the High Court order passed in February 2008 that asked Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) to absorb all the contract labourers. Trade unions have been staging demonstrations to highlight their demand.
The corporation through its advocate Anil Nag said the High Court judgment would lead to creation of large number of posts and put heavy financial burden on the organisation.
NLC operates lignite mines and a 2,490-MW power plant in Tamil Nadu and majority of the contract workers are employed in the mines.
In May 1995, the NLC management entered into a bi-partite agreement with a group of seven trade unions for absorbing the members of Indco Serve -- one of the unions -- in a phased manner over a period of five years depending on qualification, time and nature of experience.
The corporation had absorbed 4,000 contract workers in compliance with the settlement, Nag said in the petition.
However, trade unions approached the High Court demanding regularisation of all members based on seniority including the period of service with private contractors.
Monday, April 21, 2008
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