BSNL staffers raise Rs 1.75L for contract workers going without pay for months

Aurangabad: A group of employees and officers of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has collected Rs 1.75 lakh for contract workers employed with the company as these workers have not been paid since the last several months.

Incidentally, owing to the decision of the central government, as many as 50% staffers of the BSNL have opted for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) leaving a major gap in the workforce.

During such times, the contract workers engaged by the telecom service provider have proved to be saviours. These contract workers ensure that the telecom service of company is run without hurdles during lockdown. Finding fault in cables and wires and repairing it, tower maintenance, customer service and other operations and maintenance works are done by these workers on contract. Many people are required to go to houses of customers, thus exposing themselves to Covid-19 infection.