COIMBATORE: Representatives of the Tasmac Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions met Tamil Nadu Minister for Prohibition and Excise K Vignesh here on Saturday, submitting a memorandum urging the government to fulfill their long-standing demands, including the regularization of jobs.
Long-Standing Issues of Temporary Workers
More than 25,000 employees have been working with Tasmac, a public sector undertaking of the Tamil Nadu government, for over 23 years. Union representatives highlighted that under current labour laws, employees who complete 480 days of continuous service should be made permanent. However, Tasmac workers have remained temporary for the past 23 years, a situation they described as unjust.
Key Demands Presented to the Minister
The delegation urged the government to stop appealing against labour court verdicts and immediately regularize all employees with a time-scale pay structure. They also demanded the full implementation of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) medical scheme for all workers, ensuring access to healthcare benefits.
Regarding liquor outlet closures, the union alleged that while guidelines mandate a 500-metre restriction rule for closing shops, more than 10 outlets in Coimbatore were shut down without proper inspection. They claimed this move unfairly benefited private recreation clubs. The union requested an official review to reopen these specific shops.
Additionally, the union called for strict regulations to prevent FL2 and FL3 licensed private recreation clubs from illegally selling alcohol to non-members and distributing 180 ml liquor bottles in violation of established protocols. They emphasized the need for compliance to curb unauthorized sales.
Minister's Assurance
After listening to the grievances in detail, Minister K Vignesh assured the delegation that he would bring their demands to the attention of the Chief Minister and work to resolve all issues within a month. The union expressed cautious optimism about the outcome.
About the Author: Tysion Prabhu is a senior correspondent with The Times of India in Coimbatore, covering crime trends, defence, and railways. He holds a master's degree in journalism from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, and also writes on sports, with a background as a professional cricket player.
