The Hindu

It suggests shifting of units from Kudremukh to Mangalore 

• `Many skilled workers in Kudremukh idle'
• An estimated 134 workers required at Mangalore plant

Mangalore, May 15: The Kudremukh Mazdoor Sangh here has urged the management of Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd. (KIOCL) to delegate work to employees of the company instead of outsourcing it.

According to KIOCL general secretary Sanjiva Murthy, the KIOCL establishment at Kudremukh has a number of mechanical engineering units for maintenance of machinery, components and auxiliary items, welding, electrical work and repair of light vehicles. However, since operations in Kudremukh had been shut down, many of its skilled mechanics there were idle, even while work was being outsourced on a regular basis to Mangalore, Murthy said.

He said the sangh was suggesting that if all the mechanical engineering units in Kudremukh were shifted to KIOCL's Mangalore plant, the work would not have to be outsourced.

Also, the skilled mechanics from Kudremukh could then get work in the city. According to an estimate made by the union, the Mangalore plant would require 134 workers in the skilled and semi-skilled categories if the units were shifted there, Murthy said.

He said several other projects, including that of an air-conditioning plant, were also being outsourced to workers in the city, despite there being relevant experts at the KIOCL plant in Kudremukh.