(FE)
At the insistence of Union steel minister Dharmendra Pradhan, state-run Steel Authority of India (SAIL) has introduced a scheme for sabbatical leave for all its regular employees who have completed 10 years in the company, primarily aimed at cost-cutting.
The company, however, is hard selling the scheme to its eligible employees as an opportunity to hone up skills, write books or compose music, discharge familial and social obligations, pursue hobbies and entrepreneurial ventures, among others. As on January 1, SAIL had 72,246 employees.
During the course of the sabbatical leave, which can be for a maximum of three years, executives opting for the scheme will not get any salary or perks other than medical benefits for the employee and her family; while those working at the plants and already having company-provided accommodations will be entitled to retain them and avail medical benefits.
