Victory for call centre employees
A day after LionTel workers struck work over salary, the BPO promises payments by Feb 5
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, January 24, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2009012420090124213528311aad3d74d)
Friday was a red-letter day for around 160 workers of LionTel Info Solutions Private Limited, a UK-based BPO having its office on C G Road, who were not paid their Decembe
r salary. After Ahmedabad Mirror highlighted their plight following a protest strike by some workers on Thursday (No pay, no work, January 22), the BPO top brass issued assurance notes on company letterhead to all staff within 24 hours, assuring them a combined salary for December-January latest by February 5.
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Saturday, January 24, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2009012420090124213528311aad3d74d)
Friday was a red-letter day for around 160 workers of LionTel Info Solutions Private Limited, a UK-based BPO having its office on C G Road, who were not paid their Decembe
r salary. After Ahmedabad Mirror highlighted their plight following a protest strike by some workers on Thursday (No pay, no work, January 22), the BPO top brass issued assurance notes on company letterhead to all staff within 24 hours, assuring them a combined salary for December-January latest by February 5.The note, a copy of which is in Ahmedabad Mirror’s possession, reads: “The management at LionTel Info Solutions Pvt Ltd would like to reiterate how proud, honoured and lucky we feel to have such a loyal, devoted team of staff as yourselves. “We hereby inform you that you shall, as promised, receive December 2008 and January 2009 salary in full latest by 5th February 2009.
The AM pages of Jan 22 and 23, that highlighted workers’ plight “We thank you for your continued support and loyalty and confirm that in our three years here in Ahmedabad that this is the first time such a situation has occurred. “We are convinced that with such a dedicated team as we have here, we will take LionTel Infosolutions Pvt Ltd from strength to strength.”
Following Ahmedabad Mirror’s story, some workers of LionTel Info Solutions Pvt Ltd approached the state Labour Department on Thursday evening (BPO employees take state’s help for salary, AM, January 23). Two officials from the Labour Department, A M Soni and Nirmal Kumar, visited the company’s office on Friday morning and held meetings with workers and the management.
Confirming the development, K S Gill, deputy commissioner, state Labour Department told Ahmedabad Mirror, “Our officers had a lengthy meeting with workers and management of the LionTel Info Solutions Pvt Ltd. We issued them notices to address their workers’ grievance and ensure justice was done.”
Realising that things were spinning out of control, the BPO management decided to act fast. They called every member on their payroll and assured him/her that their salary would reach them not later than February 5. They also assured their workers whatever help they may need from the management.Said Saumil, a Human Resource executive of Liontel Info Solutions, “Almost every member on our payroll is now satisfied. They have resumed work, which is going on full swing. Yes, there are still a few trouble-makers whose sole aim is to disrupt the functioning of our company, but we don’t intend to take any action against them. We will ensure their salary reach them by February 5.”
Realising that things were spinning out of control, the BPO management decided to act fast. They called every member on their payroll and assured him/her that their salary would reach them not later than February 5. They also assured their workers whatever help they may need from the management.Said Saumil, a Human Resource executive of Liontel Info Solutions, “Almost every member on our payroll is now satisfied. They have resumed work, which is going on full swing. Yes, there are still a few trouble-makers whose sole aim is to disrupt the functioning of our company, but we don’t intend to take any action against them. We will ensure their salary reach them by February 5.”
The BPO management also issued a note to Ahmedabad Mirror, in which it said the company was committed to help its workers in these difficult times.
THE FIGHT
Some employees of LionTel Info Solutions walked out of their C G Road office on Wednesday after the management failed to pay them their December salary. Irate workers told their higher-ups that they will resume duty only after they get their salary.On their part, the LionTel management said there was a problem in funds transfer. Said Vaidesh Engineer, business development officer of LionTel, “This problem has nothing to do with recession. We are facing this situation for the first time. Money got delayed because of holiday season in the UK.” Liontel’s promise
“We hereby inform you that you shall, as promised, receive December 2008 and January 2009 salary in full latest by 5th February 2009. We thank you for your continued support and loyalty and confirm that in our three years here in Ahmedabad that this is the first time such a situation has occurred. We are convinced that with such a dedicated team as we have here, we will take Liontel Infosolutions Pvt Ltd from strength to strength.”"Almost every member on our payroll is now satisfied"– Saumil, Human Resources executive, LionTel Info Solutions
