Unpaid salaries of HEC workers who built the launch pad for India’s moon flight: Letter to the PM Modi | Binoy Viswam

Binoy Viswam
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
116, North Avenue New Delhi - 110 001
Mob: 9605766702 E-mail: binoyviswam55[at]gmail.com

To,
Shri Narendra Modi, Prime Minister, Government of India

Respected Shri Narendra Modi ji,

Dt. 28th September, 2023

I am writing this to express my concern about the plight of over 3,000 employees of Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC) who have not received their salaries for the last 20 months. HEC is one of India’s oldest and ablest Public Sector Units which has played a crucial role in India’s space program with years of critical service to the nation, including manufacturing the launch pad for the much-celebrated Chandrayaan-III.

Despite their contributions, the employees of HEC are now struggling to make ends meet. Many of them have been forced to take on part-time jobs as autorickshaw drivers, street vendors, and daily wage labourers to support their families. Some have had to draw their provident fund and take on loans to get by. The delay in salary payment is due to a number of factors, including the absence of a full-time chairman-cum-managing director. However, workers who have made invaluable contribution to the country are suffering for no fault of their own should not be acceptable. These employees have worked hard to build India’s space program and other important industrial infrastructure. It is a disgrace that they are now being forced to live in penury and uncertainty.

In this context, I urge you to intervene immediately and take steps to ensure that HEC employees are paid their salaries in full and on time. The government must also provide a financial package to help them tide over this difficult period and also take steps to ensure that the HEC is revived. It is important to remember that these employees are the backbone of India’s industrial sector and play a crucial role in the country’s development.

Yours sincerely,
(Binoy Viswam)
Leader of CPI Parliamentary Party & Secretary, National Council

Member, Committee on Public Undertakings
Member, Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles, and Skill Development Member, Consultative Committee on Environment, Forest, and Climate Change