Team Herald
PANJIM: At a protest demonstration held on Tuesday, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Goa Council demanded for the immediate resumption of mining activity, activation of the Goa Mining Development Corporation and provision of Rs 20,000 allowance per month to all the retrenched mining workers.
AITUC Goa, along with the Goa Mining Labour Welfare Society (GMLWS) sent these demands to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) as well. They warned that if the government fails to restart mining before the 2022 Assembly elections, a pan-Goa campaign and affirmative movement will be launched to ensure resumption of mining operations in Goa. They referred to the earlier ‘false’ assurances given by the State government.
At their protest demonstration that was held at Kranti Circle near the Kadamba Bus Stand in Panjim, AITUC members waved placards and flags and chanted slogans to support their cause.
“A Retrenched Mining Workers’ Scheme should be evolved on the pattern of Goa Labour Welfare Board Scheme for the benefit of retrenched mining workers and those mining workers who have lost jobs either due to closure or retrenchment after the Supreme Court order dated February 7, 2018,” said Christopher Fonseca,” General Secretary of AITUC Goa and GMLWS.
Fonseca lamented that presently thousands of mining workers are unemployed and are living in acute financial distress, unable to maintain themselves and their families.
