the goan I network
Panaji
Alleging that she was treated unfairly by Vijai Monte Cruz, head of Impala Distillery and Brewery Limited, Mercy Fernandes, former employee of the factory for 38 years, has said she has undergone “severe trauma for a very long time and had to also go through depression” on account of this unjust treatment.
Mercy, along with Evencio Quadros and Sandeep Ramalalge came before the media with grievances against Impala, including non-payment of dues which run into lakhs of rupees.
The three former employees of Impala, whose cases are currently in court, were backed by Viiking Beverages, who has an ongoing dispute with Impala. Employed at Impala in 1974, and claiming to have been appointed as one of the directors of the company with a minor share, Mercy even alleged violation of her rights, saying that Vijai tapped her mobile phone, taking away her freedom to talk to anyone at will. She then said that one day without warning, she was thrown out from her job without her salary or gratuity for one-and-half years.
Evencio on the other hand, claims that Vijai owes him payment with interest amounting to Rs 8,24,285, which has not been paid even after five years. The civil suit he filed is pending in court.
Sandeep said that he has still not been paid for around four months of his and his labourers’ work and that Impala owes him Rs 15,35,867. He has filed a police complaint in this regard. The three came forward after they learnt about the dispute between Viiking and Impala.
