PONDA: Fear grips nearly 1,500 mining-dependent workers as mining companies have approached the Centre to retrench them following the halting of mining operations in the State.
United Mines Workers Association president Puti Gaonkar on Wednesday said that the Vedanta Sesa Goa Company had issued a notice to the Government asking for permission for the retrenchment of 1500 employees by 5 October as per the provisions of the Industrial Disputes Act 1947.
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Gaonkar said the company had cited reasons for retrenchment that after the State Government took over their mining leases, they do not own any mines and ceased to be mining lease holders and as such not in a position to employ workers henceforth.
According to Gaonkar, the company has also pointed out that the export of ore lying in the State was not viable since the government hiked export duty from 30 to 50 per cent.
Alleging that the government had failed to resume mining activity, Gaonkar demanded that the government should take measures to restart mining operations within one month either through auction, Mineral Development Corporation or to hand over mining leases to its existing leaseholders in a bid to protect the jobs of workers.
In case of an auction, the Government should put conditions on bidders to employ these workers in mining firms.
Goankar alleged that the Goa Government failed on all fronts and demanded that government should reduce export duty so that the export of ore could resume and provide a livelihood to these workers who stare into a bleak future.
