Gujarat based Doshion Group under scanner non-payment of dues to employees

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat-headquartered water and waste water cycle management entity Doshion Group has come under scanner for alleged non-payment of dues to employees. Over 200 former employees of the company filed a police complaint to recover pending dues to the tune of near Rs 5 crore even as Gujarat chief minister Anandi Patel’s office has asked the labour commissioner to intervene.

“There are other former employees who are yet to come openly against the company with their complaints and hence, the amount owed in totality, would be far more than what we believe,” said one of the former employees who left the company a year-and-half back. He is part of Fight for Right, a group of former employees that is taking on the management for allegedly withholding their payment – pending salaries, leave encashment, leave travel allowance, medical and other reimbursements, et al.

The police complaint filed in Ahmedabad raises allegations against Doshion Pvt Ltd and its group companies Doshion Veolia Water Solutions Pvt Ltd and Pacific Pipe Systems Pvt Ltd. While the dues owed to the employees are being withheld, the company made a payment of Rs 64 lakh to central excise and service tax department following a raid by the excise department in March 2014, the complaint alleges. The company issued a statement claiming it is “duty bound to pay the dues.”

“Our representatives were assured by the management on July 13, 2014 that the payments would be made – 40% of dues were promised to be cleared by July 25, 30% by August 25, and rest by September 25. When the promises were not kept, applicants protested against the management on August 1 forcing it to make partial payment…. The breach of trust is intentional…” reads the police complaint, a copy of which has been marked to ACS home SK Nanda and deputy labour commissioner. An FIR is yet to be registered.

Further, the commissioner of labour has been instructed by Gujarat chief minister Anandi Patel’s office to look into the matter following intervention sought by former employee Ashok Kumar Menon.

“We wish the matter is resolved soon so that the pending dues are released,” added Falgun Patel, a former employee.