NTPL contract labourers, affiliated to CITU and LDF, staging a protest in Thoothukudi on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: N. Rajesh
The contract workers of NTPL Thermal Power Station in Thoothukudi have been on an indefinite strike for eighth days, demanding a wage hike and other benefits. The workers have been staging a demonstration in front of the NTPL power plant.
In solidarity with the striking workers, members of CITU and the workers’ family members staged a demonstration near VVD signal in Thoothukudi on Thursday.
The NTPL Power Station, jointly operated by NLC India and Tangedco, comprises two units, each generating 500 MW of electricity.
The protest stemmed from the Madras High Court’s order, directing the contract workers to be given wage hikes similar to those provided in NLC India. However, the NTPL management had failed to implement this order, striking union members said.
As a result, around 1,300 contract workers have been engaged in the strike since April 17, demanding the immediate implementation of the wage hike.
Despite four rounds of talks between the workers, union representatives and the NTPL Management, the discussions ended without resolution.
Condemning the anti-labour stance maintained by the management, the workers and union leaders called for the immediate intervention of the Labour Welfare Department, NLC Management and the Central government to implement a wage hike and bring an end to the strike.
Due to the ongoing strike, power generation at the plant had reportedly been reduced by about 800 MW, employees unions representatives said.
CITU district president Pechimuthu and CITU State secretary R. Russel were also present.
Published – April 24, 2025 09:36 pm IST
