"Labour unions are upset over the large-scale retrenchment, suspension or salary cut down by the mining company managements, which is against the law," Suhas Naik, convenor of Goa Convention of Workers (GCW) told reporters here today.
Of the several cases, 15 have been filed with the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) against one V M Salgaoncar and Company alone for terminating the staff after the mining ban, he added.
According to rough estimates, there are over one lakh workers employed in the mining sector and its allied industries.
Naik said workers who are under the trade unions are getting protection, but those who are not a part them are facing the wrath.
A senior trade union leader, Subhash Naik George, said almost 30-40 per cent workers in the mining industry are under various unions, while the rest are unorganised. "Usually in these circumstances, the latter face terminations," he said.
Goa Convention of Workers, an umbrella organisation of all the state labour unions, has said the labour unions have decided to give protection to all its members.
"The crucial issue is about those workers who are working for the contractor who have been sub let the work in the mines. Many such workers are laid off. We are trying to help those workers too," Naik said.
While mining industry is reeling under crisis, the terminations are faced not only by the workers employed with the mining firms, but those in the allied industries too.
Goa unit chief of Hind Mazdoor Sangh, Govind Bhosle, claimed that around 130 workers attached to the barge (ship) industry have been laid off.
"The cases are filed with the state labour commissioner against these employers," Bhonsle claimed.
The labour union leaders have demanded that when the mining activity resumes, all the workers who are laid off should be offered re-employment by the employers, which is their legal right.
