Team Herald
VASCO: Mormugao port workers on Tuesday complained that despite Janta Curfew announced by the government till March 31, some top level MPT officials were forcing the workers to work on Chinese ships with Chinese crew onboard.
According to the workers, the MPT has also issued a circular with copie marked to South Goa District magistrate and the police department.
“What makes MPT to take the COVID-19 issue so lightly? Should the employees risk their lives when everywhere people are staying indoors to prevent the spread of the deadly virus?” an employee asked. “The superiors are working sitting in AC cabins, but they are forcing lower level employees to slog on Chinese vessels with Chinese crew, knowing that virus originated affected China the most. Who should be held responsible if any workers catches the Coronavirus. Therefore, it is my humble request to the Urban Development Minister Milind Naik and to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant to intervene in this issue,” the employee added.
When contacted, Minister Naik said that some locals had contacted him and had told him that they are being made to work in MPT by their. “I spoke to the MPT management on this issue and after I took up this matter with the Chief Minister and explained him about people’s grievances, Sawant also spoke with the MPT chairman and had dicussion. At present the operations/ works at MPT have been closed,” Naik said.
Meanwhile, MPT recently issued a circular stating, “As per Ministry of Shipping order dated 23.03.2020, “transport service for goods by water or any other service connected with loading, unloading, movement or storage of goods in any Port are essential service” and read with District Collector order dated 22.03.2020, Mormugao Port Trust comes under the purview of essential service and employees of MPT… are considered as essential employees.”
The movement of employees and vehicles of MPT and Terminal operators of MPT shall be permitted after verifying the valid MPT Gate pass, in order to commute to work and return.”
