The Odisha State Electricity Corporations Engineers Association (OSECEA), which had threatened to go on a mass agitation from October 3 demanding payment of their salary, got a shot in the arm with the Deputy Labour Commissioner (DLC), Sambalpur, directing Wesco to clear salary of last two months.
Although the Managing Director of Wesco had directed superintending engineers to declare the agitation as unlawful since the discom came under Essential Services Maintenance Act, the DLC in his letter dated September 29 has said further delay in payment of salary will result in discontentment and will bolster the unrest.
The DLC said salary is never linked to performance. And if performance is a parameter, then it should be resolved across the table. He also urged Wesco to refrain from any action that would aggravate the situation.
Meanwhile, the association challenged Wesco to invoke ESMA stating that the stir is aimed at quality power supply to consumers and payment of salary. The members also expressed surprise over the silence of the State Government on the issue.