Team Herald
PANJIM: Workers of Cudegal mines and their families will demonstrate on Monday outside the Goa Legislative Assembly demanding withdrawal of illegal closure of Cudegal mines.
According to the workers, the mines management has sent individual notices to workers stating that, “it is found that the revival/resumption of the mining operation is not feasible or possible” and hence the mine is irrevocably closed.
“Our union has replied to the management stating that we do not accept that the revival/resumption of mining operations is not feasible or possible. On the contrary, it is our contention that mining operations are both feasible and possible and the mine can be operated viably and responsibly for many years,” said Goa Mines Workers Union general secretary Naresh Shigaonkar.
Shigaonkar said the union has pointed out to the management that the closure has been done without compliance with the process of law and is illegal.
“The Cuddegal mine is one of the best mines in Goa from the standpoint of ore quality and quantity. Its closure will adversely affect thousands of workers, truck operators, barge workers etc, including many who have lost their land for the mine.
The continued closure of the mine is adversely impacting the Goan economy,” he said. He added that it is the government and management’s responsibility to restart the mines.
“A year ago the former chief minister had promised that no worker would be retrenched. We call upon the government to take steps to honour the assurance and hence we are going to protest on August 10 to an assurance on our demands,” he said.
