Goa mining ban left 65% workers jobless; AITUC calls for rehiring former employees
Updated: Apr 29, 2014 05:19:02pm
Panaji, Apr 29 (KNN) The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has blamed the Goa government for suspension of mining activity in September 2012, owing to which 65 per cent of workers in the sector were out of work. It has now asked that the government to form a special cell to register former employees.
The court had banned operations in all 90 mines in Goa from September 2012 after the Justice M B Shah Commission pointed out illegalities in the industry.
When mining activity in the state came to an abrupt halt, following the order, many employees most of who were contract workers were relieved of their duties.
"These workers were employed in mining or allied activities, as truck drivers, cleaners, barge workers, machine operators, etc," AITUC Goa General Secretary Christopher Fonseca said.
It was this section of workers that was hardest hit and those who belonged to other states returned home, as found they found it difficult to make ends meet in Goa.
In the absence of labour unions in most of the mines, there was no one to give voice to their concerns, AITUC said. The union has now called for a special cell to register workers who lost their jobs.
Under the circumstances, the lifting of the 18 month mining ban by the Apex court is likely to bring life back to the industry. The Supreme Court has also asked Goa government to pay workers on the muster roll, half salary for the ban period.
According to the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, the lifting of the ban will help revive economic activity. The order allows 20 million tonnes of iron ore to be extracted annually; annual production prior to the ban was 45 million tonnes. (KNN/ES)
The court had banned operations in all 90 mines in Goa from September 2012 after the Justice M B Shah Commission pointed out illegalities in the industry.
When mining activity in the state came to an abrupt halt, following the order, many employees most of who were contract workers were relieved of their duties.
"These workers were employed in mining or allied activities, as truck drivers, cleaners, barge workers, machine operators, etc," AITUC Goa General Secretary Christopher Fonseca said.
It was this section of workers that was hardest hit and those who belonged to other states returned home, as found they found it difficult to make ends meet in Goa.
In the absence of labour unions in most of the mines, there was no one to give voice to their concerns, AITUC said. The union has now called for a special cell to register workers who lost their jobs.
Under the circumstances, the lifting of the 18 month mining ban by the Apex court is likely to bring life back to the industry. The Supreme Court has also asked Goa government to pay workers on the muster roll, half salary for the ban period.
According to the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, the lifting of the ban will help revive economic activity. The order allows 20 million tonnes of iron ore to be extracted annually; annual production prior to the ban was 45 million tonnes. (KNN/ES)
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