Chennai: In a bid to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has evaluated a new but novel mechanism, in which the corporation has started recruiting 'retired staff' for daily wage, leaving exist-ing and senior crew red-faced.
Sources said that the MTC is covertly recruiting retired MTC staff and around 90 retired staff have been recruited for various post particularly timekeepers. Such decision was taken to reduce expenditure.
A senior conductor of MTC, who was about to retire in next nine months, said that he was a diabetic and when he approached the officials to transfer him as a timekeeper or other works, the officials yelled at him stating "work or leave". "This is not only for me, but more number of staff face similar situation and this should be changed," the conductor said, preferring anonymity.
M. Shanmugam, general secretary of Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), said that the corporation is resorting to such practice in the name of cost cutting that too at the cost of MTC employees.
"We have already condemned such one and submitted petitions. Moreover, the MTC can appoint ailing crew to the posts of timekeepers and collection collectors. Instead, it has recruited retired staff for meager amount," he said, urging the MTC to recruit new employees.
A retired staffer, who was appointed timekeeper in a city's depot, said that he received a call from MTC official to take a temporary job.
"After being retired, I am simply at home without no work. A few weeks ago, I got a call from MTC and was asked my willingness to take a job as timekeeper in a depot," he said, and added that the officials told him about set of conditions, in which he was informed that he would be paid Rs 300 per shift without any other benefits. "I gave my nod and joined as a staffer," he
said.
When contacted by Deccan Chronicle, Anbu Abraham, managing director, MTC, admitted to recruiting retired staff. "At the same time, we are giving priority senior employees to promote them and ailing employees too are given opportunity to work as timekeepers and other work," the MD said.
