Differently abled challenge sacking order

KS Devaseelan, a 41-yearold employee at a mall in Aminjikarai, said that he had worked there for three years, before being terminated without notice in advance. 

The sacked worker, who suffered a polio attack when he was three-months-old, claimed that there were no complaints about his performance. “I also received a hike. But without any warning, three of us – all differently abled – were removed from service. When we refused, the management threatened to stop our pay. Hence, we had to write a letter stating that we are quitting due to family circumstances. This was the same letter which my other colleagues too were forced to sign,” said Devaseelan, who is jobless since 2016, while his wife, 40-year-old Kavitha, found a job recently. They have a son, Praveen, who is in Class 12. 

For Gajapathy, a 47-yearold who became physically challenged after a paralytic attack in 2006, said the management knew of their condition before hiring them. “I have been given the offer letter and other documents. But we don’t know why we were suddenly sent out. My wife, Jayalakshmi (41) recently got a job to manage the household, which includes my son Bharath Kumar (23) and daughter Sandiya (13). I only want a job where I can earn to provide for my family,” he said. 

Rajeni Ramadoss, counsel for the petitioners, said that after reconciliation efforts by the Labour Commissioner failed, they have moved the Labour Court. “How can an organisation threaten the employees to resign. Why will a person with disability, who has a job that suits him, leave it abruptly? More so, when there have been no complaints against them? We want these employees reinstated,” said the advocate. 

At the time of going to print, attempts to reach representatives of the mall were unsuccessful.