PIMPRI: Public undertaking Hindustan Antibiotics (HA) Limited has been allotted a Rs 280 crore package to settle its workers’ dues.
The Centre has sanctioned the funds to pay the huge arrears of monthly salaries and other dues of the workers of the ailing public undertaking.
The amount will be used to pay arrears of workers’ salaries of the past 23 months, provident fund arrears, voluntary retirement benefits and also the gratuity of retired employees.
Hindustan Antibiotics Employees Mazdoor Sangh Vice-President Arun Borhade said that the monthly salaries of 950 employees, amounting to Rs 80 crore, has been pending. “The pending monthly wages will be paid first,” he said.
The arrears of the provident fund have also gone up to Rs 111 crore. The decision on the exact amount to be paid for the provident fund will be taken by the authorities in New Delhi.
It has been planned to give voluntary retirement benefits to 500 employees and it will require around Rs 160 crore.
Borhade said that the Central government has initiated efforts to revive Hindustan Antibiotics Limited through privatisation. “The interests of the workers will be protected while completing the process,” he said.
REVIVAL BID
Borhade said that the Central government has initiated efforts to revive the ailing Hindustan Antibiotics (HA) Limited through privatisation.