Team Herald
MOPA: Incensed by not being paid since past six months, labourers working at the Greenfield Mopa Airport site vented their ire by pelting stones at the GMR building on Wednesday.
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Sources informed that due to pelting of stones, three to four wheeler vehicles which were parked near the building were damaged, while the General Manager of Raxa Security sustained minor injuries.
The Pernem police arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control. Sources informed that since past six months the labourers had not received their wages and on Wednesday they were supposed to leave for their respected States to celebrate Holi. Since they had no money and hence they weren’t in any position to leave for their homes. This agitated these migrant workers.
However as per the information obtained from Pernem police, the company had given money to the contactor for giving the wages. But he had delayed the payments.
Sources from the airport site also informed that along with delay in wages, the labourers weren’t getting proper food.
“The labourers actually did not get their wages for February and not six months as it is being alleged. The dispute was between the company and workers.They sorted it among themselves. No police complaint has been filed,” Pernem PI Vikram Naik said.
Naik denied that anyone got injured and said that only one hired four-wheeler was damaged when the workers pelted stones.
Meanwhile the owner of the damaged vehicle Umesh Warak said,”Labourers gathered outside the GMR office. My vehicle which has been hired by the company on contract basis was parked at the office premises. When labourers pelted stones, along with my car, two more were damaged. The car is with the construction company and has assured to repair it.
Meanwhile, Congress has urged the State government to release the Mayem villagers who were arrested for demanding payment of salaries to the hundreds of labourers working at the Greenfield Mopa Airport site on Wednesday.
“It is the duty of the government to provide proper roads and water supply to the citizens and pay timely salaries to the hardworking workers. It is unfortunate that the agitating Mayem Sarpanch along with villagers and a photo journalist were arrested for supporting the cause of hundreds workers at Mopa airport site who were protesting against non-payment of dues. Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant must immediately intervene and resolve both the issues, demanded Cuncolim Congress MLA and Congress General Secretary Yuri Alemao.
The newly-elected Congress MLA termed the entire act of arresting protesters as insensitive.
Reacting to the protests at Mopa and arrests of protesters at Mayem, Alemao said, “The insensitivity and carelessness shown by the BJP-led caretaker government compelled hardworking Mopa Airport construction site workers to agitate for their salaries. I urge the Chief Minister to intervene so that their salaries are paid immediately,” said Alemao.
“Congress is now represented by young MLAs and we will all unitedly fight for the rights of Goan people. We will continue to be the voice of Goans,” he added further.
