Being forced to work on poll day? Call the Tamil Nadu Labour Dept hotline

In an attempt to ensure that private companies follow the law, Tamil Nadu government’s Labour Department has set up a hotline to report on companies that force employees to work on poll day. Poll day ie Thursday, April 18 in Tamil Nadu, is a holiday. However, many private sector employees had complained that their employers expected them to work on the day.

“As per Section 135B of the Representation of People Act(1951), we request that all workers, daily wage labourers, temporary workers and employees working in all companies including industries and trading companies, eateries, NGOs, shops, factories, public sector companies, private companies, information technology companies(IT/ ITES/ BPO) be granted one day’s leave with pay on polling day(Thursday, April 18) in order to enable them to vote.” requested a statement from the Commissioner of Labour, R Nandagopal.

Over a week ago, the Union of IT and ITes Employees (UNITE) had written to the Election Commission of India to issue a notification to all private companies in Tamil Nadu to mandate compulsory holiday on April 18. UNITE had alleged that not all private companies allow their employees to take off from work. They had also requested the Election Commission to instruct IT/ITes companies and its employers’ body NASSCOM to provide flexible leave for inter-state migrant employees on polling date. In order to make sure that the order is implemented, they had requested the EC to form squads to monitor the implementation of holiday and to take stringent action against violators.

Promising due action on companies that do not adhere to the rule, the Labour Department on Tuesday said that control rooms had been set-up at the state and district level to receive complaints. The state control room is based out of Chennai at the Labour Department’s office. District-level control rooms have been set-up at the respective Labour Welfare Board offices.

General public and employees can report on companies that don't declare holiday by calling the numbers, the statement said.

S Ponnusamy, state-level coordinator - 9600198875, landline: 044-24321438

D Vimalanathan, Labour Deputy Commissioner - 8778270221

T Punithavathi, Labour Deputy Commissioner - 9786910097

Vetriselvi, Labour Assistant Commissioner - 9840120925

Jayalakshmi, Labour Assistant Commissioner - 9500171623

Janakiraman, Labour Assistant Commissioner - 8610308192