Mining bomb hits Vedanta: Workers told not to report to work

A step, which the company says is, to 'cut operational costs' at Bicholim site

The Goan Network | MARCH 22, 2018, 02:08 AM IST

SHUT FROM TODAY
It is also reported that allied services like transport and canteen at Bicholim mines of Vedanta will stop from March 22
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PANAJI: It appears that the Supreme Court’s (SC) February judgement banning excavation of iron ore from March 16 in the state has already started showing its impact as Vedanta has told its staff and workmen at its Bicholim mines to not report for duty with immediate effect until further notice.
A company spokesperson said, “We have issued a notice to our staff at Bicholim mines to not report at work. Since fresh excavation of ore can no longer happen, this will help us in saving operational costs like bus-transport, canteen and etc. However, we will continue to pay salaries to our staff. This move has been taken to just cut down on our operational costs.”
The notice sent by Vedanta to its staff said, “…the honourable Supreme Court by its order dated 7th February 2018 has passed an order to stop all Mining Operations w.e.f 16th March 2018. Also Director of Mines Geology (DMG), Government of Goa vide its letter dated 06/03/2018 besides various instructions has directed us to stop extraction of ore and in further communication has directed us to take care of only Dewatering, Safety and Security of Mines till further instructions.”
The notice then said that in the light of the SC order it is beyond Vedanta’s control to continue operations of the mines. Considering such a situation, Vedanta has told all employees at its Bicholim mines to not report for duty with immediate effect until further notice.
Meanwhile, the company has also said that it may need some manpower to carry out dewatering and for safety and security, as directed by DMG and those who are required for these jobs will be communicated by the company individually.
It is also reported that allied services like transport and canteen at Bicholim mines of Vedanta will stop from March 22.
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Not sacked, will get
salaries: Co official


PONDA: Clarifying that those workers instructed not to report to duty at the mines have not been sacked and would continue to receive their salaries, a Vedanta official stated that the decision was taken to curtail expenses at the mining site.
Joseph Coelho, Operations Manager at Vedanta, told The Goan that the decision to ask workers not to report to duty at the mines with immediate effect was taken on account of safety of workers and also to curtail the expenses on canteen and other costs.
“People should understand that this is not sacking, but we have merely told workers to remain at home and to avoid travelling to the mines.”
“There is no work at the mines and hence, it is meaningless to simply call workers to the sites. This will also minimize their daily transportation and there will be no risk while travelling to and from the mining sites. Those manpower required to comply with guidelines will be asked to report to work,” he said.
Coelho also clarified that the notice had been sent to around 350 workers from their Bicholim mines and added that similar notices would be sent to their other mining sites within the next few days.
“They will get their salaries and it is not the issue. We are curtailing our expenses of canteen and other costs,” said Coelho.
He informed that workers at the company's jetties and its Amona plant would be doing routine work.
A similar notice will be sent to about 1,200 workers from Codli mines, asking them to remain at home till further notice from the company.  

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