NLC contract workers begin indefinite strike

Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, Sep 8 (UNI) The indefinite strike by contract workers of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) began this morning threatening more power cuts for the State which was already reeling under power shortage.

The contract workers of the NLC were demanding adequate compensation and jobs to a member of the family for colleagues who lost life in harness.

Speaking to UNI here, Jeeva Contract Workers Union General Secretary K Venkatesan claimed that fatal accidents were caused due to the recruitment of unskilled contract workers for risky jobs.

In case of accidents involving contract workers, the NLC neither paid any adequate compensation nor ensured proper medical attention, he claimed citing examples.

With a majority of the 13,000 employees keeping away from work, lignite mining was affected.

With NLC producing 90,000 tonne of lignite a day to keep its 2,490 MW power plants working, there was a danger of power production getting affected if the issue was not resolved soon enough, sources said.

Currently, the NLC had enough stock of lignite for five days beyond which power genertion could be hit. On an average NLC produced 1,800 MW a day.

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