Team Goemkarponn
Valpoi: Workers at ACGL-BBD company in Bhuipal Honda staged a protest at the company entrance following the sudden layoff of approximately 50 local contract workers. The workers alleged that migrants were being protected while local workers faced neglect and arbitrary dismissal.
Local skilled workers, employed through contractors for the ACGL-BBD project, have reportedly faced harassment for several months. Incidents of locals being sent home without proper work have become frequent. The recent layoffs occurred due to the contractor’s claim of reduced work availability, leading to financial difficulties for many workers, especially with the Ganesh Chaturthi festival approaching.
The protesting workers accused the contractor of unfairly replacing locals with migrant labor and expressed concerns over the financial hardship this has caused. Some workers have already quit due to ongoing issues, while others continue working due to difficult home circumstances.
RG party leader Manoj Parab met with the protesting workers and voiced his support, warning the company management and contractor against mistreating local workers. Parab threatened a strong agitation if injustice continued, urging local representatives to address the issue to prevent further marginalization of local labor in Honda and Pisurle industrial estates.
When contacted, the contractor stated that due to decreased work and an excess of labor, layoffs were unavoidable, citing financial losses as the reason behind the decision.
