Chennai: Repeated delays in milk supply by Aavin have been attributed to poor manpower management, weak supervision, and heavy reliance on outsourced labour, according to industry experts and labour unions.
Overdependence on Contract Labour
Experts point out that Aavin relies extensively on casual and contract workers across critical operations:
- Milk reception
- Quality testing
- Packaging
- Loading and dispatch
While private dairies also use contract labour, they typically avoid disruptions through better supervision and contingency planning.
Lack of Monitoring and Accountability
A former Aavin official highlighted serious gaps:
- Workers often do not report on time
- An 8-hour shift effectively sees only 4–4.5 hours of actual work
- Attendance monitoring systems exist but were never implemented due to staff resistance
The result? A system where output doesn’t match manpower.
Union Concerns Over Workforce Structure
According to union leader R Palayan:
- There must be a balanced ratio of permanent and contract workers
- Over-reliance on outsourced labour weakens operational control
He also flagged infrastructure inefficiencies:
- Tanker lorries purchased years ago are lying idle due to lack of spare parts
- Drivers are underutilised or redeployed, leading to wastage of resources
Systemic Breakdown in Supply Chain
S A Ponnusamy noted that:
- In recent weeks, dealers’ staff stepped in to manage supply
- This temporary workaround eventually collapsed due to lack of structure
He contrasted the situation with the COVID-19 period, when:
- Senior officials were directly involved
- Labour was mobilised efficiently
- Milk supply remained uninterrupted
His blunt takeaway: the system needs strong leadership and a complete overhaul.
Read More: Bihar to Set Up Dairy Cooperatives in Every Village; Women to Lead Sudha Outlet Expansion
Steps Taken to Stabilise Supply
Officials claim the situation is now being addressed:
- Local casual labourers have been engaged
- Additional contract workers are expected from other states
The Aavin case highlights a critical lesson for the dairy sector:
- Dairy is a time-sensitive supply chain—delays at any stage ripple across the system
- Manpower discipline is as important as infrastructure
- Even established cooperatives can falter without operational control
Bottom line:
This isn’t just a labour issue—it’s a management issue. In dairy, where every hour counts, poor coordination can spill over directly into empty milk shelves.
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