the goan I network
VASCO
Around 160 workers of a reputed company in Verna Industrial estate on a strike since last three days over allegations of harassment and non acceptance of their workers union have on Thursday claimed that the private non Goan contractors engaged to provide services to the company have threatened them.
After the incident, the employee union members have approached the Verna police station seeking protection while requesting the cops to keep a watch on the alleged contractor fearing he could attack some vulnerable employee.
Speaking to media, Vice president of the employee union informed that the private contractor engaged on providing services to the company has threatened the employee on Wednesday.
“We have been with the company for a long time and all the employees on strike are working for a period ranging from 8 to 20 years. Today a non Goan contractor indulges in a verbal duel and later threatens to kill us. The company is silent about it . Today is the 3rd day of our strike and I request the company to resolve issues amicably. Our families and our livelihoods are at stake. We appeal the Govt to intervene in this regards. We want Govt to mediate and resolve our issue and direct the Company to accept our union and clear our charter of demands. We also want Govt to cancel the licence of the contractor who has threatened us,” said Vice president of the employee union
Meanwhile, Gen Secretary of the employee union said it was sad that despite Govt claiming to assure maximum Goans will be employed in Industrial estates, Goan employees were being threatened by a non-Goan contractor openly.
He also informed that the company had offered open support to the contractor and offered him company vehicle to go to Verna police station to complain that the employees on strike had threatened him.
“We remember there was a huge nosie after some companies held job fairs outside Goa and Ministers assured that if companies don’t engage locals then they would not support the company,” said the Gen Secretary of the employee union.
“Today the scene is different and non Goan contractor are flourishing and also openly threatening local employees. Yesterday after the incident happened, the company was a silent witness. Why can’t the company find Goans people for top management ? Should we Goans be threatened by outsiders ? We are 160 people yet we mantained peace. Who would be responsible if we had to take law in hands. The contractors licence needs to be cancelled and we offered police protection,” he added.
