The Grand Betrayal

SAGA OF ENDLESS WAIT FOR THE ERSTWHILE WORKERS OF M/S ATI LIMITED IN THE MATTER OF RETIREMENT CLAIM

M/s Andaman Timber Industries Limited, popularly known as ATI had its plywood manufacturing factory at Shore Point Village near Bambooflat Jetty in South Andaman. The factory started sometime in the early 60’s with a modest two digit workforce, soon emerged as the frontrunner providing livelihood option, directly or indirectly to a majority of the population residing in rural South Andamans. At its peak the factory operated in three shifts (round the clock) with strength of about 1200 workers who were paid wages over and above the rates fixed by Govt. Workers too complemented the management’s generosity by their devotion towards work to the extent that plywoods manufactured at ATI were unarguably The Best. Peoples swearing in the name of ATI plywoods for quality was in vogue. Such was the reputation of ATI during hey days.

The symbiosis, churning out good fortune for the management and livelihood for the workers for about four decades, however came under tremendous stress with cut in the quota of locally available raw materials (read round logs). Consequently the management sourced the deficit quota of logs from Malaysia and neighbouring countries. But import of logs by the company could not be continued for long since monetary support in the form of subsidy on transportation of logs was also stopped after a while.

The repercussions of cut in quota of raw materials and stoppage of transport subsidy was seen in the form of curtailment in spending by the management, downsizing of employees and later the factory operated only in two shifts. Many workers were given un-ceremonial send off making it hard for them to maintain their family. Ultimately, the management resorted to “Lock-Out” on 9th October 2000, leaving thousands of labours without a job but a bleak future.

Workers rued the lockout unilaterally imposed by ATI management. But those having a hint of the developments taking place in the Apex Court (Forest Case) knew, the management had the foresightedness to sense the eventual outcome of the court proceedings. The management however threw a surprise, lifting the lockout after a brief halt, but the joy evaporated soon as the management slapped yet another closure notice on the factory’s notice board.

The workers were given option to accept Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) drafted by and in favour of the management. This is evident from the service termination letter handed over to each of the individual employees mentioning, they stand retired from service of the company on and from 18/09/2001. Surprisingly the letter did not mention the date on which retirement dues will be paid. Shocked, workers ran helter-skelter seeking help for settlement of retirement dues, prior to closure of the factory.

The then MP took the matter to the Honble Lt Governor. In a meeting held at Raj Nivas on 08/09/2001 the management agreed to pay VRS and other statutory dues in a time bound manner. Later in the day another meeting between MP, ATI management and workers representative was convened wherein the benefits payable to the workers were revised upward. However payment was linked to release of transport subsidy and compensation towards acquiring of company’s property by A&N Administration; which the workers accepted unaware of its consequences.

Incidentally, after paying the meager first and second installments, the management decommission the machinery and shipped them along with the entire stock of plywoods to mainland in line with the agreement reached with workers representatives. In the mean time a portion of company's landed property was acquired  by A&N Administration for development of Port Related Facilities against payment of Rs 3.03 Crores towards compensation. This amount, according to the agreement should have been disbursed to the workers. But the management cracked a cruel joke. It disappeared from the islands along with the compensation.

After more than 12 years the company sold its entire movable as well as majority immovable assets, retirement dues of about 800 permanent employees amounting to Rs 2.74 Crores still remains unpaid.

By now it is aptly clear the management colluded with some insiders and acted against the welfare of the workers. It lifted lock-out only to complete the obligatory administrative formalities required to qualify for filing compensation claim. The management even used the truce struck at Raj Nivas to lay its hand on the movable assets including huge stock of plywoods that were lying in its godown since closure of the company. The management also surrendered its landholdings and got compensated, but when it came to payment of workers lawful dues, it deserted those workers who contributed immensely for the grown of the company.

In the past 12 years of wait, the erstwhile workers had a harrowing time making a living without proper job. Some had to sell off their belongings and shift to mainland. Those who could not find alternative means are reeling under abject poverty. Some even lost their life in harness.

The most tragic however happened with Mr C Chinnapaiyan, who left the islands after closure of ATI, but returned after a while. Having no home of his own in the islands or financial capability to rent an accommodation, Chinnapaiyan took shelter in one of the closed petty shops near ATI gate No-1 hope to get his payment soon and return to mainland. But one evening, while bathing on the roadside, a live transmission wire passing overhead, fell upon him. The powerful shock threw him down into the drain along with the live wire. Mr Sohorab Mondal selling Paani Puri nearby, somehow got the power supply disconnected, but Chinnapaiyan had died till then; surrendering his claim forever!

What baffles me is the wisdom linking retirement dues of workers to liquidation of company’s movable assets or for that matter with the acquisition of the company’s immovable properties. It is needless stating the importance of timely payment of retirement dues; who-so-ever retires deserves payment of retirement benefits on the date of retirement. Contrary to this, the industrial workers of ATI, despite given assurance by the highest office and lapse of 12 years, they are still carrying on their forehead the epithet of being betrayed by the very self they depended upon.

Of late, the sitting Pradhan of Shore Point Gram Panchayat, Mr R Adinarayan had made it a point in his stride to speak for settlement of workers retirement claim. Till now, his call met with mediocre response from the workers, yet he seems convinced the matter is not finished yet. The estranged workers seemed reluctant since they have seen too many ups, downs, flips and flops in the past. They fear, the wounds caused by betrayal, may be left open once again. Mr J N Roy a former employee however is optimistic in saying, though the factory shed is in ruins, but as long as it is in place, he is keeping his hope alive. Another worker who is too old to raise his voice is longing to see the management eye-to-eye before death ascends him.

At this juncture, when majority of the workers seems to have lost hope in the sands of time, interest shown by the village chief Mr Adinarayana, is laudable. He has taken in his hand the daunting task of raking up the inner conscience of the management and fulfilling the expectations of the estranged workers of ATI. How the A&N Administration responds holds the key.

The issue therefore calls for attention of the Hon’ble Lt Governor, who had been kind enough to sanction all consequential benefits to the employees rendered jobless due to the closure of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Forest Plantation Development Corporation (ANIFPDC).

With all humility, I join the workers and also call upon the ATI management to wake up to the plight of its erstwhile workers. Despite lapse of a decade, the workers did not forget the agreement nor did they throw the letter which the management gave them indicating how much the company owns to each of those 800+ workers. The ATI management therefore must come out of exile and settle the issue once and for all. Satyamev Jayate.

I am thankful to Andaman Sheekha and Echo of India for carrying the post in their News Paper on 4th July, 2012.