Dhenkanal: As many as 450 contractual electricity workers from Dhenkanal district began a protest march to Bhubaneswar Sunday, demanding reinstatement of retrenched employees, regularisation of jobs, equal pay for equal work and the removal of Tata Power from Odisha.
Under the banner of the All-Odisha Electricity Contractual Workers’ Joint Forum, the protesters prostrated on the road from the office of the TPCODL superintending engineer near College Bypass in Dhenkanal.
They proceeded along National Highway 55 towards Bhubaneswar to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister.
The protesters alleged that contractual employees continued to face exploitation despite serving in the electricity sector for 14 to 15 years.
They accused Tata Power of retrenching employees to increase profits while the state government remained a silent spectator.
They also alleged that the company was exploiting electricity consumers.
The agitation was organised under the leadership of divisional president Chandrashekhar.
The workers demanded immediate resolution of their grievances, reinstatement of dismissed employees, permanent employment and implementation of equal pay for equal work.
The forum warned that it would intensify its agitation if the government failed to address the demands promptly.