Coal India’s subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields has ordered an 8-day wage cut for workers who went on a strike for three days to protest against private competition. It said the strike was illegal. About 80% of its 22,000 workers did not report for work during the strike.
“It is noted… the employees… who have participated in this illegal strike… is a violation of rule 26.10 of the certified standing orders of MCL. In view of this misconduct on their part, eight days wage deduction as per Section 20 of the Code on Wages Act 2019, is hereby ordered for their act of participation in the illegal strike,” the management said in a notice.
It said the strike was called from July 2, and the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner in Kolkata was seized of the matter for conciliation under provisions of Industrial Disputes Act 1947.
“Since the strike has been under conciliation, participation in such a strike is in contravention to Section 10 (3) of the Industrial Disputes Act of 1947 and as such, is prohibited under Section 23 (a) of the Industrial Dispute Act and is an illegal strike, as per Clause 24(1 )(ii) of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947,” the notice mentioned.
Coal India did not respond to ET’s queries but an executive who did not want to be identified said this was the second time wages are being deducted for a strike. The first instance was in 2010 when a section of workers went on a one-day strike. It prompted them to go on a hunger strike demanding withdrawal of the order.
