Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) workers, in a significant show of strength, held a massive meeting in Vasco to send a clear message to the GSL management that they are united and will not succumb to their tactics to break their unity any longer.
As per the information given by Cyril A. Fernandes, Senior Trade Unionist and Chicalim Activist, he was invited as a Guest of Honor by the workmen to address them and guide them in the future course of action.
In his address, Cyril warned the workmen that the GSL management has a history of destroying workers’ unity by using the services of their henchmen who masquerade as leaders but, in reality, are agents of the GSL management.
Recently, GSL has seen workplace disturbances due to non-payment of minimum wages to mazdoors and newly recruited tradesmen.
It is also feared that the management is pushing for a New Promotion policy through the back door with the aid of its agents, without taking the GSL workmen into confidence. Two days back it is alleged that GSL management invited retired workmen to finalize the list of holidays for the year 2022.
The Fixed-Term Employees (FTE’s) also complain of exploitation, discrimination, and denial of basic rights by GSL management.
The GSL management recently introduced some changes in work practices and timings that are detrimental to the workers’ welfare, health, and safety.
The workers have protested and managed to stall the same after constructive dialogue with the GSL management. But they are apprehensive that the management may use their agents to introduce the changes through the back door with the aid of these planted leaders.
In view of all the above issues disturbing the GSL workers, all of them belonging to various factions have come under one banner and decided to face the situation unitedly. Cyril A. Fernandes was invited by the workers to advise and guide the general meeting towards achieving this goal.
The general meeting passed resolutions demanding minimum wages to mazdoors equal to what the Goa Government pays to its lowest workmen category. Similarly, they have demanded that all FTE’s should be made permanent with immediate effect. The third demand was to seek from the GSL management transparency in the Revision of the Promotion Policy and for reducing the growth ladder suitably.
The fourth demand was to seek allowances on a percentage basis as provided to Officers and Supervisors. They demanded that such glaring discrimination and class divisions cause immense pain and anxiety besides stress and is illegal and not within the frame of labour laws.
The workers had also invited national leaders of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS). Chandrakant Dhumal, Sector In-charge for Port, Shipyard, Seafarers & Paramedical staff, was the Chief Guest. There were other office bearers of BMS who attended the said meeting, namely, Nilesh Khedkar, Central Executive Member, Sudhakar Patil, State Secretary, BMS, Maharashtra and Shri Ashok Thorat, Senior Activist from the Defense sector.
Chandrakant Dhumal, in his address, exhorted the workmen to fight for their rights. Fighting for their own rights is a fundamental duty of every workman. He criticized the GSL management for exploiting the conditions of workmen in this manner though the company is a public sector body meant to uplift the workmen. He promised the workers of GSL to bring central pressure on the GSL management to address their grievances and resolve them.
Arjun Ansurkar, Dattaprasad Gawade, Jayaseela & Tushar Mestry addressed the workers. Arjun Ansurkar, who has been in the forefront seeking justice for the workers, made it clear to the workmen gathered that GSL workers should not allow themselves to be divided and used by the GSL management. He further said that if they remain united, all their demands would be met across the table. Otherwise they would have to struggle in vain. The meeting was compered by Shankar Shet.