December 03, 2008

CIL WCL to introduce multi job concept in coal mining

PTI reported that, faced with rapid reduction of manpower, Coal India Limited’s Western Coalfields Limited has planned to introduce multi job concept in mining to maintain production and meet its future targets.

Mr DC Garg CMD of WCL said that "WCL has now over 64,000 workforce and every year, it is shedding 1,500 manpower on account of superannuation, while general recruitment is stopped. Unless it introduces multi job concept, it will be difficult to maintain production level and meet future targets."

Mr Garg said that it is going to bring in sophisticated technology in coal mining which required skilled workers. He added that "We can not recruit workers excepting in cases of land acquisition. We would impart training and counseling to the workers to be inducted for multi job."

Mr Garg said that at present an explosive carrier's job was limited to carrying only explosives and for rest of the period he was idle. He could be trained for drilling holes for putting the explosives and even do blasting in opencast mines. He added that "The industrial department has been asked to conduct a study to identify areas where multi job concept could be introduced."

Asked whether trade unions have agreed to the multi job concept, he said dialogue would be held with them on this issue. He added that workers to be inducted in multi job could be paid higher wages and there was provision for it.