Thermal power plant workers upset over delay in getting financial benefits

The workers alleged that the Tangedco has not paid General Provident Fund, surrendered earned leaves, and annual thermal power plant incentives.

“As many as 470 employees who were working in Ennore Thermal Power Plant (ETPS) were transferred to the North Chennai unit I and II when it was decommissioned. Even after that, we continue to receive the salary and other financial benefits from the ETPS. Every year, the workers will seek advance in the General Provident Fund, surrendered earned leave and thermal power plant incentives. We will normally get our GPF in September and surrendered leave by August. Even after five months, we have not got the financial benefits yet,” said K Venkataiah, Ennore branch secretary of Central Organisation of Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees Union.

He said that not only the 470 workers, all other employees in Mettur and Tuticorin thermal power plants have also not received their dues. He said that the officials in the Tangedco headquarters were citing fund crunch for the non-payment of the financial benefits to the workers.

When asked, a senior Tangedco official acknowledged the unduly delay in the payment of the financial benefits. “We have taken steps to clear the dues as early as possible,” the official said.