Warn rasta roko if not reinstated within a week
TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The retrenched workers of Birla’s Zuari Industries Ltd (ZIL) have warned of mounting an ‘aggressive protest’ by blocking National Highway 17B, if they are not reinstated in their job within a week.
Speaking to media persons, Goa Kranti Sena Mazdoor Union president Pratap Mardolkar said that over 600 workers have been retrenched from services since December 2012. The union claimed this was the biggest-ever lay off by ZIL.
Mardolkar said that company has recruited 150 labourers from Madras on contract basis. “The industry, which was established soon after Goa’s Liberation, was allowed to function after its owner KK Birla assured to provide employment to locals,” he said adding ‘today more than 50 percent workers in the company are non-Goans.
The Union has already approached State Labour Commission and Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The workers have urged state government to suspend the water and electricity connection of the company along with taking back the additional land, acquired by ZIL at meager rate and which is lying unutilized.
Five hundred hectares of comunidade land was provided to ZIL at a pittance, the union said.
All India Trade Union Congress general secretary Christopher Fonseca said that action needs to be initiated against ZIL as the company is indulging in unhealthy labour practices.
“We want chief minister to intervene in the matter and take necessary action against the company,” he said threatening to block NH 17B if the workers are not reinstated in the job within a week’s time.
Fonseca also said that AITUC along with other labour unions would march on ZIL pressing for our demands.
Meanwhile, the ZIL workers Friday suspended their 82-days protest held before Labour Commission office in Panjim.
