NTPC to introduce fixed-term employment for specific tasks

State-run power giant NTPC will introduce fixed-term employment in the company to take care of the specific time-barred projects as it seeks to consolidate its position as an integrated energy entity.
"We will start fixed-term employment. Though the number of such people will not be very big, considering the specific requirement, mainly from new businesses, we will be taking professionals for specific projects for the duration," Director, Human Resources, Saptarishi Roy told PTI.
In common parlance, fixed-term employment means that the employees' contract ends on a specified date, or when a specific task is completed, or when a specific event occurs.

In 2016, fixed-term employment was introduced for labour intensive sectors like apparel manufacturing.
Last week, in the Budget speech, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced fixed-term employment for apparel and footwear sectors as a measure for job creation.
He said the facility of fixed-term employment will be extended to all sectors.

Last month, Labour Ministry had circulated draft notification to amend Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946 to introduce fixed-term employment for other sectors. But, some states have already introduced it as labour is a concurrent subject.
At the same time, NTPC is aligning with IIM (Ahmedabad), for hand holding NTPC School of Business and make it a world class energy institute.

"We are signing an agreement soon with IIM Ahmedabad and the Energy Training Institute will offer an MBA course specific to energy sector," he said adding this would not only cater to NTPC's requirement but also of the entire sector in the country.
Stating that energy demand will grow up substantially in line with the envisioned 7-8 per cent economic growth, Roy said this would also create the demand for highly qualified trained professionals.
He, at the same time clarified that regular employment will continue as a process and this year also the company would take about 150 engineering graduates.

Roy said the company was against the policy of hire and fire and an employee is inducted at the entry level keeping in mind the tenure of 30 years or so.
But, the same could not be applied in case of specific time-barred requirements and hence the introduction of this fixed-term mechanism from this year, he added.
"We are not sure as to what will happen in the next five years or even next year. What will be the scenario. And we are also not for hire and fire. Therefore, we have introduced this system," he said.
Even at regular level, the company ensures a pre- employment training of 52 weeks, a mechanism not practiced anywhere in the industry, at its own training institutes.