Kharsang oil firm reinstates 17 local employees

A CORRESPONDENT

BORDUMSA: The indefinite bandh observed by several organizations over the sacking of local employees by an oil browser company at Kharsang was withdrawn on Monday following the firm's decision to reinstate the 17 sacked contractual workers. The organizations appreciated the gesture of the company and agreed to call off the agitation with immediate effect. A formal letter on their decision was handed over to the Kharsang Sub Divisional Officer (Civil) on August 3.

The oil browser bandh call was jointly announced at the Kharsang oil field area in Changlang District on July 15 last by the Tangsa Youth Association (TYA), Kharsang Circle Unemployed Youth Association (KCUYA), All Changlang District Student Union (ACDSU) and it was supported by the other NGOs and local bodies.

Meanwhile based on the earlier meeting with the manpower contractors at the office of the Kharsang-based Geo Enpro's office during the last phase of the agitation on July 23, the company authorities agreed to reinstate the workers from July 26. According to the minutes of that meeting, while Bimen Negmu — one of the 17 workers — would return to his usual mess service, the others would be absorbed in the Civil Department.

Both the parties also agreed on the issue of wage deduction of all the 94 contractual workers engaged in the company. They agreed that it should be based on the minimum wage rates as per the skilled, semi skilled and non-skilled categories. Earlier, company CEO Ajay Kumar Ray during a telephonic conversation with The Sentinel said that the decision to reduce the contractual manpower in Kharsang Oil Field was initiated due to company's unfavourable situation arising out of government fiscal policy among other reasons.

"However, taking note of the prevailing pandemic scenario and other reasons, I have accommodated the workers again with slight alteration in the rules to meet both the ends," said the CEO, adding that "the success story of any secondary units across the globe is primarily based on positive relationship between the employees and the employer and the state of industrial equillibrium that a quality workforce pushes for."

The leaders of the local organisations have urged the reinstated workers to deliver their services with sincerity and dedication. Munpong Khimhun, who spearheaded the mass agitation, expressed his gratefulness to all the stakeholders for extending their unconditional support during the crisis. He said, "We are grateful to Minister Kamlung Mossang, Bordumsa MLA Somlung Mossang and Jairampur-Nampong MLA Lisam Simai for their support to our cause."

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