VERNA: In response to the fatal accident at Verna Industrial Estate on May 25, when a mini-bus mowed down four labourers who were sleeping in makeshifts huts, construction workers and Verna locals are demanding the immediate arrest of Abdul Kadar, the owner of Kudroli Constructions Pvt Ltd. Four workers were killed, and five others critically injured in the accident. The workers hold the company responsible for the fatal accident.
On Tuesday, the workers and locals voiced their safety concerns and demanded that the company compensate the victims’ families. They further highlighted that the company should take responsibility for the apparent ‘murder’ since the bus driver, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, was ferrying employees of the company to drop them home.
Congress leader Olencio Simoes, who spoke to reporters alongside the workers stated, “The midnight accident which occurred opposite SIVA Company at Verna involved a private company bus belonging to Kudroli Constructions Pvt Ltd. These labourers were residing in temporary huts constructed by the company along the National Highway, which in itself is illegal and in contravention of the law.”
“The workers who were engaged here for 14 months for the construction of a storm water drain were not registered with the Labour Department, which is a violation of Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970 & Rules 1971,” he added. Simoes appealed to the government and the Labour Department to immediately conduct inspections of all work tendered by government or private entities, especially for contractual workers in the State of Goa, as most contractors/companies do not follow labour laws.
Simões also demanded that all work tendered by the government to Kudroli Constructions Pvt Ltd should be suspended, and the company should be blacklisted with immediate effect. He also demanded that the victims be compensated fairly by both the government and the Goa Industrial Development Corporation.
