Labour minister directs steps to secure permanent jobs for 3,000 Mazagon Dock fixed-term workers
Minister Akash Fundkar has asked for measures to protect the jobs of about 3,000 fixed-term workers at Mazagon Dock and for strong lobbying with the Centre for the proposed P-751 project.
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Labour Minister Akash Fundkar has directed that steps be taken to protect the jobs and future of about 3,000 fixed-term workers employed at Mazagon Dock and that they be given opportunities for permanent employment. He has also asked for effective lobbying with the Central government to secure the proposed P-751 project for Mazagon Dock.
A meeting on the employment of fixed-term workers and the P-751 project was held at Mantralaya under the chairmanship of Fundkar. At the meeting, Fundkar said Mazagon Dock does not come under the State Labour Commissionerate, as it is a Central government establishment. Even so, in view of the workers' demands, the State Labour Commissionerate has approached the Central labour department.
According to the information the Mazagon Dock management has given the Central labour department, the appointment of fixed-term workers is linked to the number of work orders the company receives and the amount of work available accordingly.
Fundkar said these workers are appointed only according to the company's requirement, and that efforts will be made to press for their appointment. He said the company has not yet received new work orders, so fresh recruitment of fixed-term workers does not appear to be proposed. If new work orders are received, recruitment may be made in light of the company's requirement and the volume of work.
According to Fundkar, while candidates are considered under the applicable recruitment norms, relevant experience in the shipbuilding sector will be given due weightage. The department will make efforts for this.
The Labour Minister also said that if fixed-term workers register an industrial dispute on the 'Samadhan' portal of the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, it will be examined. Appropriate action will then be taken under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 and the rules applicable under it.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Labour Department I. A. Kundan, Labour Commissioner H. P. Tummod and office-bearers of the Mazagon Dock workers' union were present at the meeting.
