The unavailability of raw iron ore has resulted in theclosure of Dempo’s Aprant Iron & Steel private limited plant in KaleSanguem. More than 150 contract workers were sacked without prior notice. Theworkers mostly from the Dhangar community reside in the surrounding villages.For over 15 days now the workers have not been allowed inside the plant. Many protested in front of the gate.
On Monday, several other worker unions supported the protest tohelp get justice for the 150 families dependent on this plant. P. Nagesh Patnayak GM of the Aprant limited saidthe paucity of iron ore had resulted in the decision to shut then plant indefinitely.
Molu Pingle leader of the Aprant workers union said “These poorworkers have depended on the plant for 15 years. It is wrong to sack so manyworkers in one shot”. Pingle threatened to come out on the streets with the familiesof the affected workers. Government jobs, he said had not reached this part ofthe state and this forced the workers to take up assignments on contracts.
Locals have demanded the intervention of the local MLA toget justice. Workers have received the support of the state engineering workersunion and Goa mines workers union. Ganesh Pingle who was working in the plantfor 15 years has told The Goan that he built a house after taking a bank loanof two lakh, “I am wondering now if I can pay off the loan”.
Sagee Warak mother of one of the worker said “ I hadarranged the marriage of my son a month earlier but now with the plant closing the engagement willbreak”
Molu Pingle union leader informed The Goan that despite writtencomplaints to the local police station, labor commissioner, Aprant managementand others , the issue of the 150 workers were ignored.
Mrs. Mohini Naik,Sarpanch of the local Panchayat said that the Panchayat would be taking up this issue with the state authorities and companymanagement.
