Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd hires retired staff, contract employees hit

KOLLAM: The re-appointment of retired employees by the Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd has hit the job prospects of the contract employees in the KMML factories. The appointments made after the LDF government assumed office were allegedly not opposed by any of the trade unions, including those affiliated to the Left parties.

The company has allegedly appointed 84 retired employees back in their jobs as pump operators in several phases of recruitment. This has hit the Lappa contract employees and those who lost their houses and property owing to land acquisition by the company. It had promised them jobs in their plants in lieu of the losses incurred.

Over 900 employees work under contract basis and the company has been giving technical training to those with technical qualifications for appointing as pump operators. It has allegedly made the new deal amid the training programme.

As many as 164 contract staff employees were selected for the technical training in February. The training for first batch is in progress. Meanwhile, following a sit-in protest organised by the youth in front of the gates of the company, the management has promised to review the decision, it is learnt.