BATL seeks exemption from new TU Act

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Call it a curious situation. Trade unions at BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL) were among the first to seek acceptance under the new Kerala Recognition of Trade Unions Act and the BATL management has now become the first to seek exemption from it.The BATL management has requested Oommen Chandy to exempt the missile firm from the provisions of the Act saying trade union activities could hinder the company’s progress.BATL management has complained that former KELTEC trade unions have revived their registration in violation of the agreement signed during the take-over.“Credibility of our company would be questioned by our valued customers such as ISRO, DRDO, MoD etc. If such activities are allowed to continue, this will even affect the defence preparedness of our country and it would be difficult for the company to survive and progress,” BATL executive director N R Vishnu Kartha said in a September 20 letter to Chandy. “The government should invoke Section 15 of the Act, which allows it to exempt industrial establishments from the purview of the Act,” he said. The unions claim they revived their activities because the management failed to keep its promises to the employees. This, the management deny. Interestingly, the landmark Kerala Recognition of Trade Unions Act, 2010, was introduced to prevent multiplicity of trade unions and to smoothen management-employee relations.BATL being a Congress-Left initiative, the stand-off has put the political organisations in a fix. The UDF Government is yet to deal the BATL management’s request. When contacted, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John said the government would take a decision on the BATL request soon.