the goan I network
MARGAO
The retired daily wage Margao Municipal workers have threatened to go on a fast unto death at the office of the Provident Fund office from February 1 if their long-pending provident fund dues are not settled by then.
The workers, some of whom are in the late 60’s and early 70’s have also decided to seek an appointment with Goa Governor Satya Pal
Malik to highlight their ordeal over the delay in releasing their provident fund dues.
Addressing the media, Camilo Barretto and Florinda Miranda, who have taken up cudgels for the beleaguered daily wage workers, wondered whether the workers are being meted out harassment just because they belong to the Scheduled Tribes Community.
Camilo also pointed out that Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai did not come the rescue of the workers when he was the deputy Chief Minister.
“The ST workers are being taken for granted by the powers that be. Even outgoing Margao Municipal Chairperson Babita Prabhudesai did not expedite the cases and only served us juice to withdraw our hunger strike,” he said.
Saying that the beleaguered workers have now turned old and are in need of their hard earned money, Camilo said they have no option now than to resort to fast unto death after all their actions have failed to move the authorities to release their payments.
“We were all happy that the Provident Fund will release the payments after the MMC had sent the documents after making the necessary corrections. Now, they want us to wait for the release of the payments as the MMC has clubbed the provident fund of other workers with the seven daily wage workers,” Camilo said.
The workers pointed out that they would seek an appointment with the Governor for his intervention in the matter.
