More than half of Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd’s total employees opt for VRS, to exit in Nov-Dec 2019 - Hindustan Times
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More than half of Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd’s total employees opt for VRS, to exit in Nov-Dec 2019

Hindustan Times, Pune | ByArchana Dahiwal
Nov 16, 2019 03:03 PM IST

Of the company’s total strength of 900, at least 580 employees’ are opting for voluntary retirement scheme

As many as 580 employees of Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd, India’s first pharma public sector undertaking in Pimpri-Chinchwad, have opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). Out of the 580 employees, 219 will get voluntary retirement on November 30, 2019, and others by the end of December 2019, according to officials of the company.

Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd will get Rs 280.15 crore from Union cabinet as a loan for meeting liabilities of employees.(HT/PHOTO)
Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd will get Rs 280.15 crore from Union cabinet as a loan for meeting liabilities of employees.(HT/PHOTO)

Of the company’s total strength of 900, at least 580 employees’ are opting for voluntary retirement scheme.

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Nirja Saraf, managing director, Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd, said, “The Union cabinet has approved the voluntary retirement scheme opted by the employees on September 7, 2019, and October 7, 2019, was the last date for the to submit applications. Among them, 219 employees will get voluntary retirement on November 30 and the rest of the employees will be relieved by the end of December 2019.”

On July 17, 2019, the Union cabinet approved budgetary support of Rs 330.35 crore as a loan for meeting liabilities of at least 1,000 employees of three public sector pharmaceutical companies of the country to help in disbursing unpaid salaries and providing support for voluntary retirement scheme of employees. The three companies are Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Rajasthan Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Hindustan Antibiotics Limited. Of this amount, Rs 158.35 crore will be used for disbursing unpaid salaries and Rs 172 crore for VRS scheme. Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd will get Rs 280.15 crore.

Manoj Kotak, Bharatiya Janta Party’s (BJP) Mumbai member of Parliament (MP), who has been elected as president of Hindustan Antibiotics Mazdoor Sangh (HAMS), an official union of the company recently, told Hindustan Times, “We have a meeting scheduled with DV Sadananda Gowda, the cabinet minister for chemicals and fertilizers, between November 18 and 20. The final date is yet to be confirmed. In that meeting, we are pushing for payment of remaining dues as well as the rehabilitation of remaining employees who have not opted for voluntary retirement scheme.”

“ The other focus of the meeting will be on functioning of Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd units and its best possible ways,” he added.

Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd can be an asset for present and future generations: Borhade

Arun Borhade, who completed 30 years of service in Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd and was elected as the general secretary of Hindustan Antibiotics Mazdoor Sangh (HAMS), thrice, is one of the employees who has opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). He has witnessed the struggle of the ailing units in the last 25 years.

“I still have hope that Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd will be functional again,” said Borhade.

“I want it to be functional as this company can be an asset for the present and future generations. The first pharma company of the country can be helpful for the scientists of the country,” he added.

Arun Borhade who completed 30 years of service in Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd has opted for VRS. (HT/PHOTO)
Arun Borhade who completed 30 years of service in Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd has opted for VRS. (HT/PHOTO)

Borhade started his journey in Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd in 1984 as an apprenticeship. He became company trainee between 1989-90. The management made him permanent in the year 1990. Later, he started involving in the labour activities outside the company. In 1994- appointed as an editor- “HA Kamgar Patrika” published by Hindustan Antibiotics Mazdoor Sangh at that time. In 1996, he was elected as general secretary of Hindustan Antibiotics Mazdoor Sangh (a main working post in the union). In 2002- again he was elected as general secretary up to 2007. In 2010 also he was elected as general secretary for the third time and in 2016 he elected unopposed as the vice-president of the union.

“The time I spent in Hindustan Antibiotics Ltd shaped my qualities as a leader. I will never forget 2003 we undertook an agitation which went on for 45 days. Without shutting down the company work, the workers participated in long agitation,” said Borhade.

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