Subheadline:
Workers accuse contractors of violating labour laws; allegations of PF and ESI irregularities raise serious concerns
Almora. Outsourced employees working in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Almora, have raised serious allegations against contractors and departmental authorities over non-payment of wages and labour law violations. Employees claim that despite new contracts being issued by the department, workers are being paid below the minimum wage, while several employees have not received salaries for the past nine months.
According to the employees, BSNL tender documents clearly mention a minimum daily wage of Rs 522.52. In addition, provisions for Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF) have also been included. However, workers allege that contractors are paying them only around Rs 9,000 per month, which they say is far below the legally prescribed wage structure.
Employees associated with BTS-related work alleged that payments have remained pending for nearly nine months. Workers said they repeatedly approached departmental officials regarding the issue, but no concrete action was taken. According to them, contractors continue to assure workers that payments will be made “soon,” but the situation remains unchanged.
The employees further alleged that former contractors, including Jai Shri Ram and Mohan Machinery firms, failed to deposit PF contributions for workers. They also claimed that many employees are unable to avail proper ESI benefits due to irregularities in records and non-compliance.
Workers said the delay in salary payments has pushed many families into severe financial distress. Several employees reportedly had to borrow money to manage household expenses, children’s education, and medical needs.
The employees also alleged that while both state and central governments are increasing wages for contractual workers in other sectors, outsourced workers in BSNL are facing salary cuts every year. They said the continued delay in wages and reduction in benefits have severely affected employee morale.
The workers have demanded immediate intervention from the department, timely payment of pending salaries, strict implementation of minimum wage laws, and a high-level inquiry into PF and ESI irregularities. They warned that if their demands are not addressed soon, they will be forced to launch an agitation against the department and contractors.
