NOINO writes to ED(P) on working on holidays etc.

NOINO today wrote to ED(P) demanding compensation for late sitting and working on Sundays & holidays. The letter is reproduced below:

7^th April, 2015

The Executive Director (Personnel)

Central Office,

Mumbai

Respected Sir,

                                   

                        Sub: Late sitting & working on Sundays & holidays

            You are aware that for the last several years, late sitting as well as working on Sundays & Holidays have become a regular feature in our Corporation. NOINO has been demanding for regulated hours of working since long. We have suggested some measures to curb this menace on one hand & have also suggested certain measures to compensate for such late sitting & working on Sundays & Holidays. We have also drawn your attention to the security issue while working late in the office as well as travelling back home at unearthly hours. We regret to say that precious little has been done to recognize & address this problem which affects the family life & the mental/physical health of the officer/employee.

To some extent, one can understand the need for such late-sitting as well as working on Sundays & Holidays at the time of year-end closing. However, it should not be the case for almost all the year. There is no compensation whatsoever to the overburdened officers. Adding fuel to the fire is the browbeating & arm-twisting tactics adopted in many divisions to compel the officers to attend even on Festivals of religious importance.

Two recent instances can be quoted. A large part of the country celebrated Hindu New year (known by several names according to the region) on 21^st March 2015. However, the officers were threatened in some divisions saying that if they don’t attend the office on this day, they should give it in writing and/or talk to the SDM of the division. The petrified officers had to fall in line against their wishes. We strongly protest such tactics which are also an affront to our religious beliefs as we are not allowed to celebrate.

The officers were also called on Sunday, 5^th April 2015 for DCB closing (for submission). Then again they were asked to report on time on the next day, i.e. Monday to complete further regular jobs. Such type of work without respite or relief is dangerous. However, our officers have endured it for the cause of the Corporation. They should be compensated & rewarded for it.

We, therefore, demand that compensation worth overtime should be paid to all the officers who have worked late & on Sundays & Holidays. We request you to issue immediate instructions in this regard.

Yours faithfully

Dattaraj Prabhukhanolkar

GS, NOINO