BSNL staffers raise Rs 1.75 lakhs for contract workers going without pay for months

A group of employees and officers of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has collected Rs 1.75 lakh for contract workers employed with the company as these workers have not been paid since the last several months.

Incidentally, owing to the decision of the central government, as many as 50% staffers of the BSNL have opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) leaving a major gap in the workforce.

During such times, the contract workers engaged by the telecom service provider have proved to be saviours. These contract workers ensure that the telecom service of company is run without hurdles during lockdown. Finding fault in cables and wires and repairing it, tower maintenance, customer service and other operations and maintenance works are done by these workers on contract. Many people are required to go to houses of customers, thus exposing themselves to Covid-19 infection.

In Aurangabad district, there are 140 such workers with many providing services in rural and remote areas.

Through a WhatsApp group of employees and officers of BSNL, it was decided that the workers will be helped through contribution. Subsequently, 51 current and retired officers and employees pooled in Rs 1.75 to aid for the workers.

The group said that 60% of the funds distribution has been done through cheques, online transfer and cash while the remaining will be done in another two-three days. The initiative taken by the employee group has been appreciated by Maharashtra circle chief general manager MK Mishra and Aurangabad general manager YK Bansod.

The officers, who contributed for the cause, preferred not to reveal their identity stating that this was a temporary relief provided to the workers considering the lockdown conditions. The employee union has said that these workers are waiting for their payments for the last four months. The union said that their payments should be cleared at the earliest because they are the backbone of the service.

―Times of India