Team Herald
PANJIM: Nestle Contract Workers Union of Bicholim has threatened to go on strike if their disputes with the company are not resolved at the hearing called on July 24 by Assistant Labour Commissioner, Mapusa. The workers have been demanding payment of arrears for the last two years and reinstatement of six workmen who were terminated.
Addressing the media, State Shiv Sena chief Ajitsingh Rane said, “If no justice is done to the workers at the hearing, we will declare andolan against the company with the slogan ‘Go Back Nestle Company’. We will start with a demonstration in Panjim and if needed, will start a hunger strike.”
The conflict between the workmen and the company started in 2013, when workers formed a trade union to put forward their grievances to the company. “They first formed the trade union and held a meeting with the company. During the second round of the meeting, the company did not cooperate properly, due which the workers went on a four-day strike. Therefore to target the workers, the company has terminated six workers,” Rane said.
Following the four-day strike, two workers were chargesheeted and suspended. One of them is yet to receive the suspension allowance from the company.
Meanwhile, around 40 members of the union have not been granted arrears of two years.
