In response to the fatal rampage that occurred on Saturday late night 25th May by the private company bus which killed 4 workers and 4 critically injured, the workers and the locals have demanded an immediate apprehension of the owner Abdul Kadar of Kudroli Constructions Pvt Ltd. company responsible for the fatal accident.
On Tuesday, the workers and locals voiced their safety concerns and demanded that the company should compensate for the loss of the victim and their families. They further highlighted that the company should take responsibility for the murder as the bus driver, apparently under the influence of alcohol, was carrying the employees to the company to drop them off at home.
Olencio Simoes who was present among the workers stated “The midnight accident which occurred opposite SIVA Company at Verna involved a private company bus belonging to Kudroli Constructions Pvt Ltd. These labours were residing in temporary hut constructed by the company along the national highway which is itself illegal and in contravention with law.”
Simoes further added “The workers who were working here for 14 months for construction of stormwater drainage were not registered with the labour department when questioned, which is itself a violation of Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 & Rules 1971. Therefore we appeal to the government and labour department to immediately conduct inspections of all work tendered by government or private, specially contractual workers in the State of Goa as most of the contractors/companies don't follow the labour laws.”
Simoes further urged the government to Kudroli Constructions Pvt Ltd immediately cease all government-funded construction projects and be placed on a blacklist. He also demanded that the victims be compensated fairly by both the government and the corporation.