The Birgunj-based factory had closed its production unit on October 19 last year, citing unrest in Tarai districts.
Organizing a press meet on Monday, the workers said that the closure of the factory has left 389 workers in the lurch.
Publishing a notice on October 19, the factory management said it was putting workers on reserve. As per the Labor Act, a company can hold its staff in reserve for 15 days. It needs to seek approval of Department of Labor to put workers in reserve for more than 15 days. According to the act, the company must provide workers 50 percent of salary and benefits to the workers during the reserve period and rehabilitate them once the reserve period comes to an end.
Raj Kumar Gupta, chief of Birgunj-based labor office, said that they have not allowed Progeochem Industries Pvt Ltd to put its workers on reserve.
Speaking at the press meet, the workers said that they had lodged their complaint at the labor office on October 21 which is still pending.
"I have joined the department only recently. I will take the case forward as soon as I get instruction from the head office," said Gupta.
Leaders of trade union of the factory say that some of the employees have been rehabilitated. But they have been transferred to a completely different job in Kathmandu and Hetauda, they added. "But they have not been able to sign attendance book," Om Prakash Yadav, chairman of trade union of the factory, said.
Among others, the workers have demanded that the management annul its decision to transfer and send workers on reserve, and release them salary of four months.
Santosh Acharya, human resources manager of Progeochem Industries, said he cannot make comment about rehabilitation of the workers.
Not only Progeochem, 15 other cement factories have sought permission of the labor office to send their workers on reserve. The factories are requesting the office allow them to send their staff on reserve as they were not in a position to pay salary due to strike imposed by agitating Madhesi parties for nearly six months.
Industrialists, however, say that the labor department was reluctant to issue permission to put workers on reserve. Subodh Gupta, who heads employment committee of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said that many industries are not in position to afford the salary of their staff members.
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