Panaji: Poriem MLA Dr Deviya Rane has demanded that the State government should ensure that once the mining leases are auctioned, the existing workforce on those leases are retained.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Rane said that majority of the people working in the mining sector, are left jobless and are not employable anywhere due to their age or skill set.
She pointed out that Sesa Goa Workers Union members had met her as the company has began retrenchment. “All these years, the mining companies have benefitted from the mining but suddenly these retrenchment have begun. “
Rane said that these people are left without any livelihood as they are totally dependent on the mining industry.
“They have elected me as their MLA, I am their voice as well. When there is injustice to them, I will bring to the notice of the House. People from my constituency are severely affected. My request is that those new lease holders, existing workers should be retained and they should be employed again.”
Rane said that there is no assurance that whether same people will be taken back. CM has said that we can’t force the companies to employ the same people. Government has to come up with something and take a stand that new companies have to employ the retrenched workers.
