THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government has exempted missile firm BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL) from the ambit of the Kerala Recognition of Trade Unions Act. The AITUC union at BATL, Chakkai, was among the first to seek approval under the Act, which came into force in 2010 and the BATL management was the first to seek exemption from it.Labour Minister Shibu Baby John told reporters here on Tuesday that the government had indeed given exemption to BATL considering the strategic nature of the firm. “Defence Minister A K Antony desired to bring more defence-related projects to Kerala, which could be hampered by trade unionism,” the Labour Minister said.A bitter stand-off between the management and trade unions at BATL had dragged the fledgling missile firm into unwanted controversies. While the trade unions, affiliated to AITUC and INTUC, were demanding a referendum, the BATL management had written to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy requesting exemption under Section 15 of the Act.Section 15 allows the government to exempt industrial establishments.The argument then put forward by the BATL management was that the ‘’credibility of our company would be questioned by our valued customers such as ISRO, DRDO, MoD etc. If such activities continue, this would even affect the defence preparedness of our country and it would be difficult for the company to survive and progress.’’The BATL was formed in 2008 when Indo-Russian missile venture BrahMos Aerospace took over state-run Kerala Hi-Tech Industries Ltd.The AITUC is planning to seek legal remedy, it is understood.
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