The CITU-affiliated Central Organisation of Tamil Nadu Electricity Employees (COTEE) has temporarily called off its protest after TANGEDCO’s chairman and managing director assured that a meeting with the Electricity Minister would be held on July 12. Additionally, the Madras High Court has issued notices to the Finance, Electricity, and TANGEDCO departments regarding unfilled vacancies.Approximately 10,000 employees affiliated with COTEE gathered in front of TANGEDCO offices for an indefinite protest on Tuesday.Bthe protestors were advocating for a 20-point charter of demands, including the filling of 53,000 vacancies. There are over 33,000 vacancies in field-level worker categories such as field assistants, junior assistants, technical assistants, and assistant engineers, with an additional 20,000 vacancies in other categories. TANGEDCO attempted to halt the protest by approaching the Madras High Court. The court has ordered notices to be issued to the secretaries of the finance and energy departments, with a return date of July 22. The court also instructed TANGEDCO to respond to the demands of the protesting employees. During talks with TANGEDCO management, it was agreed that steps would be taken to hold a meeting with Electricity Minister Thangam Thennarasu on July 12. This assurance led COTEE to temporarily call off the protest.
The union emphasized that the vacancies have led to increased workloads, causing accidents among temporary workers and wiremen at the field level. They urged TANGEDCO to stop the practice of redeployment and the discontinuation of posts contrary to the workload agreement.
COTEE President T Jaisankar highlighted that the temporary halt to the protest is contingent upon the outcomes of the upcoming meeting and the responses from the relevant authorities. The union remains steadfast in its demands for improved working conditions and the fulfillment of vacant positions to ensure the safety and efficiency of the workforce.