Koraput MP Saptagiri Ulaka raised the issue of Sewa Papermill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Speaking in the zero hour, the Congress MP from Koraput alleged non-cooperation and harassment by the papermill management. He alleged the company is not complying with all the relevant labour laws withholding the salaries and retirement benefits, insurance money, and PF money of the employees.
Speaking to the reporters, Ulaka said, “There were some issues about compliance which have been addressed. The workers have been assured that the money is still lying with the trust.”
“Despite repeated requests and several reminders, the Regional PF Commissioner’s Office at Kolkata has failed to transfer the PF accommodation amount to the EPFO Regional office at Berhampur. That is why I was forced to raise the issue in the zero-hour discussion at the Parliament,” Ulaka added.
Ulaka had joined a meeting organized by the current employees, retired employees, and contractual employees of Sewa Papermill in July this year, where the employees had requested him to raise the issue in the Parliament and make the EPF Commissioner intervene in the matter.
The Sewa Paper Mills, initially owned by Ballarpur Industries Ltd. (BIL), was started in 1984 and was closed multiple times due to a financial crisis. The mill has been taken over by a Hyderabad-based firm Mother Earth Resources Private Limited.
Workers alleged that the new management is laying down fresh conditions which have led to unrest among the workers.