Kerala Power Employees Win Landmark Victory after United Struggle
THE Electricity Employees’ Federation of India (EEFI), in a statement issued on January 3, has congratulated its Kerala constituents for achieving a significant victory following a prolonged and united struggle. The EEFI also commended the proactive measures taken by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government of Kerala in resolving the issues in favour of both the employees and consumers of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).
At the same time, the EEFI criticised the central government's policies that pressure states to contractualise electricity sector manpower under the pretext of cost reduction, which undermines worker security and service quality.
BACKGROUND OF THE STRUGGLE
The indefinite struggle by Kerala's power sector employees began on December 17, 2024. This was a unique united movement that saw permanent employees, contract workers, and engineers joining forces in a shared cause. The struggle erupted as the KSEB management was reluctant to implement the bipartite agreement reached on October 22, 2024, with the KSEB Workers Association.
The key points included:
- Filling Vacancies: The agreement had promised to fill 912 vacancies in a single phase through the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC). However, the KSEB management backtracked on this commitment.
- Compassionate Employment Scheme: The management failed to implement the agreed provision of offering immediate employment to dependents of deceased employees.
- Improved Consumer Service: Workers demanded the hiring of more electricity workers to enhance consumer services, resolution of contempt cases, timely promotions from worker to lineman, and the timely delivery of quality materials.
Other major demands were:
- Approval of pay revision agreements and payment of pending Dearness Allowance arrears.
- Implementation of comprehensive health insurance for employees and pensioners.
- Timely payment of wages to contract workers.
The power employees of Kerala were in an indefinite struggle, holding day-long dharnas at their head office. On January 2, 2025, the Power Minister met with the protesting employees. Following his intervention, the issue of appointing 912 employees and implementing the compassionate employment scheme was immediately resolved. Additionally, a high-power committee, comprising two union representatives, two management representatives headed by one chairman, was formed to address and resolve the remaining issues within 45 days.
The EEFI hailed this resolution as a testament to the fighting spirit and solidarity of Kerala’s electricity workers. The federation also praised the LDF Government for adopting policies that balance worker welfare with industry needs, setting an example for the rest of the country.
However, the EEFI cautioned against complacency, emphasizing that this victory stands in stark contrast to the central government's push for contractualisation and outsourcing across various sectors. While celebrating this hard-earned victory, the EEFI urged its constituents nationwide to intensify their resistance against the anti-worker and anti-people policies being pursued at the central level. The struggle in Kerala, which secured permanent employment through collective action, serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of workers’ unity and determination.
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