HMT Kalamassery Labor Unions Appeal to Parliament Over Unpaid Wages and Stalled Revival
Employees of the public sector unit HMT have petitioned Rajya Sabha member John Brittas to address a crippling financial crisis. The union reports significant production delays and unpaid benefits despite the facility holding substantial equipment orders.
Key takeaways
- HMT Employees Union (CITU) submitted a formal memorandum to Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas seeking federal intervention.
- A recovery package discussed with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy in December 2025 remains unimplemented seven months later.
- The Kalamassery unit holds ₹52 crore in orders but lacks the working capital and manpower to complete production.
- Employee bus services were halted on August 1 and retired staff are facing delays in receiving their final benefits.
Legislative Intervention Sought Amid Growing Debt
Staff at the Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) facility in Kalamassery have escalated their grievances to the national level. On Saturday, the HMT Employees Union (CITU) formally presented a memorandum to John Brittas, a member of the Rajya Sabha, requesting immediate federal action to stabilize the ailing public sector unit. The workforce currently faces chronic salary delays and a lack of liquidity that threatens daily operations.
Brittas reportedly pledged to advocate for the workers' interests with the central government. This move follows a period of mounting frustration after a high-level meeting in December 2025 with Union Heavy Industries Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy failed to produce tangible results. Although a revival package was discussed during that summit, union leaders point out that seven months have passed without the release of funds or implementation of recovery measures.
Operational Paralysis Despite Order Book Gains
The facility currently holds a healthy order book valued at ₹52 crore, yet internal mismanagement and a lack of resources prevent fulfillment. The union identified two primary hurdles to productivity:
- A severe shortage of liquid working capital to procure raw materials.
- A critical deficit in manpower to execute existing technical contracts.
Deteriorating Working Conditions and Unpaid Benefits
Internal austerity measures have further strained labor relations. The administration suspended employee bus services on August 1, 2024, complicating the daily commute for the workforce. Furthermore, retired personnel remain in financial limbo, as the union reports significant delays in the disbursement of statutory retirement benefits. The CITU maintains that the Centre must expedite the long-pending HMT revival package to prevent the total collapse of the Kalamassery unit.
Source: The Hindu — National
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