EB employees demand 25 per cent Diwali bonus

CHENNAI: Citing Deepavali festival, the Central Organisation of Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees has urged the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to increase the bonus by 5 per cent.

In a representation to the Chairman and Managing Director of Tangedco, general secretary of the organisation, S Rajendiran, requested the management to hike the bonus for the current year. "There are more than 58,000 vacancies in the electricity department. We like to remind you that the department saves Rs 64 crore due to the vacancies every month, " he said.

He added that employees are working hard due to vacancies and substandard equipment. More than 60 employees died while working during the last year.

"Despite the number of consumers increasing, only a 20 per cent bonus was given to the employees till 2018-2019. In 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, the bonus was reduced to 10 per cent citing the pandemic. As the finances of the department are improving, bonuses should be increased," Rajendiran urged.

The representative added that a 25 per cent bonus should be given to all the employees, including contract employees and part-time employees. Also, 25 per cent ex-gratia should be given to engineers, officials and others.

"Last year, ex-gratia was given to only 12 contract workers. This year, all the contract workers should be identified for an ex-gratia of 25 per cent bonus, " he demanded.