the goan I network
PANAJI
Reports of alleged “retrenchment” of long-serving employees by a top, multinational pharma company based in the Verna industrial estate has grabbed the attention of the Goa government with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant holding discussions with a group of affected workers.
Sawant told the group which met him at the State Secretariat on Wednesday that the government will
step in to protect their legal interests.
Sources said, Cipla, which has been operating at Verna for over two decades has suddenly down-graded in pay and position over a dozen executives, some of who have been working for the company for almost 15 years in the quality control division.
The move from the management is seen as a measure to compel the employees to leave as with seniority their pay-scales have increased thus soaring the HR costs to the company, an affected QC executive told The Goan. The pharma sector is one where attrition rates are high.
The development however is being viewed with seriousness in government quarters on the back of consistent reports that job losses and lack of new opportunities have flooded the media space. Also, pharma is considered as a better performing sector and the development has come as a surprise.
An official of the company meanwhile denied any retrenchment. He told The Goan that certain performance related assessments have led to pay cuts and it has nothing to do with any intended retrenchment.
The official however declined to be identified
saying he is not authorised to speak on behalf of the company but added that an official explanation will be issued to the appropriate government official when warranted.
