Representational image | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: Ignoring the objections of trade unions, employees of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) have begun accepting salaries in instalments. A total of Rs 33.5 crore has been distributed as the first instalment of salary in February.
Although the management had put forward a proposal asking employees who wished to be paid salary in full to submit a written document, none of the 25,000 employees were willing to do so.
Meanwhile, the CITU leaders will hold talks with Transport Minister Antony Raju on Monday. The unions are of the view that instalment payments cannot be accepted as such terms are non-contractual.
However, the employees willingly accepted salary payment in instalments as they were aware of the financial crisis of the corporation. A majority of them require money to pay loans and other expenses.
Initially, the unions were planning to move ahead with the protests. Later, they decided to withdraw, realising lack of support from employees. As a result, the situation is currently in favour of the government and the management.
As summer holidays are approaching, KSRTC’s monthly income is likely to drop below Rs 190 crores. The finance department is firm in its stance that it cannot provide assistance, if the economic reforms proposed by the government, including single duty, are not fully implemented soon.
Meanwhile, the management has approached the government complaining that the unions are sabotaging significant decisions aimed at reforming the institution.