VASCO
One of the workers, Rekha Chodankar, said they haven t been paid salaries for the last seven months due to which all 350 workers are struggling to run their households. “Every year, Chaturthi and Deepavali festivals bring joy and happiness on our children s faces, but this year it will not be the same as there will be no money to cook special food and buy new outfits for them,” Chodankar rued. “We are not begging for alms, but for our rightful salaries. We have worked for the salaries and will not rest until our dues are settled,” she added.Blaming a local politician, Chodankar said during the last two assembly elections the workers slogged to get the politician elected thinking he will help them during bad days. WISL general secretary Seby Pereira said for the last seven months, they had to beg with their relatives and friends for money to make ends meet and to pay their children s school fees and other school-related expenses. “We as parents can afford to stay with whatever we have, but how to take care of the needs of our children,” Pereira questioned. “Every year, our children used to celebrate festivals and birthdays with smiles on their faces, but now there are no more celebrations. A celebratory day is a dark day in their lives,” added Pereira. “We knocked at each and every door including the local politician, CM and even Defence Minister, but they failed to help us,” he said. “If the government doesn t intervene to solve our issue, then we will not hesitate to remove our children from schools and make them join the hunger strike unto death.” If any any child dies, then the government and the company management will be solely responsible,” warned Pereira.
