New Delhi: Employees at Bira 91 are speaking out about unpaid pay, unreimbursed allowances, and unpaid dues, problems that have persisted for several months after extensive layoffs and role restructuring, causing the company to experience increasing internal unrest.
According to a report by The Times of India, months after quitting Bira 91, several resigned employees have not yet received their complete and final payments. Although some have been informed that they will get paid by 31 May, current and former employees have also been dealing with reimbursement problems since November 2024, especially regarding travel and business costs.
The corporation moved employees across states and altered work roles in January 2025 without much notice or consultation, which further damaged employee morale.
Larger operational and logistical issues preceded the internal HR crisis. A legal name change for Bira 91 occurred in 2023, requiring product relabeling in certain states. Delays in supplier payments, a shortage of inventory during the hottest summer months, and extensive supply chain issues that persisted throughout the crucial beer-making season were the results of this.
Workers claim that the problems on the ground extended beyond changes in administration.
In addition, Bira 91 kept up a high-profile marketing presence in spite of its financial difficulties, including collaborations with IPL clubs and a huge sponsorship agreement worth Rs 200–250 crore with the ICC that expired in 2023. Workers claim that because of internal dysfunction, this large marketing expenditure did not result in real-time execution.
