Workers of Bharathiar University have decided to stage a protest on September 7, condemning alleged illegal deductions from their salaries towards ESI-related penalties.
At an emergency general body meeting held by the university workers’ union, members alleged that the university administration had deducted between Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 3,000 from workers’ salaries last month without prior notice. The union said the Registrar had stated that the amount was paid to ESI.
According to the union, during a grievance meeting on August 11, the Registrar assured workers that the deducted amount would be returned after approval by the governing body and that only the permissible 0.75 per cent ESI contribution would be deducted in future.
However, workers alleged that Rs. 500 was again deducted from their salaries credited on September 2. The union claimed ESI officials had warned that such deductions were not permissible and could attract action.
The union condemned the alleged violation and resolved to launch a protest on September 7, followed by further agitations if necessary. General Secretary Ramesh Kumar, President Chinthamani and Selvaraj participated in the meeting.
