KOLLAM: The Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd here in Chavara, seems to be in the throes of a crisis as a majority of employees are on strike.
The employees allege that the company is trying to sabotage the norms of the Land Acquired Persons Association (LAPA), envisaged to provide jobs to residents of the area.
The employees, numbering over 927, have enrolled for ESI and PF with the company. The employees under LAPA were given one month jobs in three-month cycles as per the norms of the association.
Meanwhile, threatening the job security of these contract employees, the company is on its way to recruit 167 ‘junior workers’. Written tests and interviews were held on November 30 for this.
“The company had earlier in 2010 issued notice to recruit employees from the three neighbouring panchayats. In a final decision, the company filed an affidavit in court in 2013 confirming the procedures to recruit 167 employees,” said M.Rameshan Pillai, LAPA member.
