Cuddalore:
Defying the Madras High Court orders, employees of Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) tonight launched an indefinite strike protesting the Centre's decision to disinvest five per cent of its stake in the Navaratna PSU.
Around 30,000 workers, including 13,000 contractual employees, of the three lignite mines and as many thermal power stations attached to the NLC stopped work from around 9 pm, NLC and trade union officials said.
However, about 7,000 engineers and officers of NLC were not participating in the strike, an official told PTI.
General Secretary of DMK-affiliated Labour Progressive Front S Rajavanniyan said the strike would continue till the Centre gave up its decision to disinvest five per cent of its stake in the PSU.
NLC sources said since engineers and officers were attending duty and there was enough stock of lignite for 3-4 days, power generation would not be affected for the time being.
Earlier, the high court, had in its interim orders on a petition by the NLC Management, restrained the labour unions of the company from going on strike from tonight or from any date thereafter.