Tasmac employees demand regularization of jobs

COIMBATORE: Representatives of the Tasmac Joint Action Committee of Trade Unions met minister for prohibition and excise K Vignesh here on Saturday and submitted a memorandum urging the govt to fulfill their long-standing demands, including regularization of jobs.

More than 25,000 employees have been working with Tasmac, a public sector undertaking of the Tamil Nadu govt, for more than 23 years. Union representatives stated that under current labour laws, employees who complete 480 days of continuous service should be made permanent. However, Tasmac workers have remained temporary workers for the past 23 years. They urged the govt to stop appealing against labour court verdicts and immediately regularize all employees with a time-scale pay structure.

The delegation demanded the full implementation of the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) medical scheme for all workers. While guidelines mandate a 500-metre restriction rule for closing liquor outlets, the union alleged that more than 10 shops in Coimbatore were shut down without proper inspection, a move they claim unfairly benefited private recreation clubs. They requested an official review to reopen these specific shops. The union called for strict regulations to prevent FL2 and FL3 licensed private recreation clubs from illegally selling alcohol to non-members and distributing 180 ml liquor bottles in violation of established protocols.

After listening to the grievances in detail, the minister assured the delegation that he would bring their demands to the attention of the chief minister and work to resolve all issues within a month.