Team Herald
PANJIM: All Goa Truck Drivers Union leader and Shiv Sena activist Ajitsingh Rane submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar demanding compensation of Rs 5 lakh to each truck driver affected by the mining ban in the State.
Rane said, “Truck drivers were the unorganised sector and so unable to receive any statutory labour welfare benefits such as PF, ESI, HR bonus, TA, DA medical benefits, etc as a result there were no saving nor bank balance nor any security to the truck drivers.”
As per government records, over 9000 truck drivers have been affected due to mining ban, of which 7000 are Goans. The union has 500 drivers.
Asked if the demand for compensation is only for union members, Rane said, “The demand is not only for 500 union members, but for all Goan truck drivers affected due to the mining ban.”
The union has given the government eight days to respond to the demands, failing which it will declare a strike.
“We request the government to resolve the issue of payment of compensation within eight days, failing which hundreds of workmen associated with the All India Drivers Union will have no alternative but to take to the streets in support of their genuine demands,” Rane said.
