TN: Road Employees Demand to Consider 41-Month Interim Period as Work

In a single order on September 7, 2002, the then Tamil Nadu government terminated 9,812 gang mazdoors (workers). They were appointed in 1997-1998 by the State Highways Department, but their services were discontinued citing financial burden.

After a legal battle, many of them were reinstated to work in 2006. However, the Tamil Nadu Highway Department Road Employees' Association (TNHDREA) is still fighting for the 41-month interim period - between September 2002 and February 2006 - to be considered in their experience.

Since their terminations, September 7 has been observed as a black day by the association. But, they staged a white flag protest this year, urging the present state government to brighten their lives.

WHAT HAPPENED

Amsaraj, general secretary of TNHDREA, said, "In 2002, the then state government took a policy decision to privatise road work, and in a single order terminated nearly 10,000 workers."

"We held several protests demanding the government to roll back the decision, with no effect," he said.

"We also fought against the termination in the Madras high court, and the ruling on February 13, 2006, ordered the government to reinstate workers. It also said the state should consider the interim period when the workers were removed from work as work time," he added.

Although many workers got their jobs back in 2006, no consecutive government considered the interim period in their experience, and they are still not paid for it.

"Within those 41 months, 82 road workers died, and some of them committed suicides. They were distressed by the sudden lack of employment, they were unable to find jobs, the family situation was unbearable, and they could not handle the pressure," said Amsaraj.

'HOPEFUL OF PRESENT GOVT'

Twenty years after the termination, TNHDREA is hopeful that they will get relief in the present government.

"We are very hopeful of the present government and chief minister Stalin. We met many of the ministers and submitted our memorandum of demands. They have said they will consider it," said Amsaraj.

"We also held many innovative protests recently to grab the attention of the government," he added.

"We are hopeful that Stalin would grant our demands during the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers' Organisations and Government Employees' Organisation (JACTO-GEO) conference held in Chennai on September 10," he said.

OTHER DEMANDS

Additionally, TNHDREA demanded increments in their salary by considering them under the category 'unskilled employees.'

The heirs of the deceased road workers who have applied for appointment on compassionate grounds should be speedily given employment, demands the association.

Also, the workers oppose outsourcing road maintenance jobs to the private sector.

TNHDREA is affiliated with the Tamil Nadu Government Employees Association (TNGEA).