----------------------------------------------------- Do GOACAN a favour, circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends. Help others be better informed CONSUMERS. ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- NUSI-WOCKHARDT LABOUR ISSUE Indefinite agitation begins, protestors demand reinstatement of employees. Threaten to get Occupancy Certificate of hospital revoked ------------------------------------------------------- Amidst unprecedented security, employees of NUSI hospital and residents of Cuncolim on Sunday began an indefinite agitation outside the hospital premises demanding reinstatement of the 24 employees within continuity of service.
While the protestors vowed not to allow any new patients in the hospital till the striking workers are reinstated, the huge police force led by Superintendent of Police, Allan De Sa ensured the road leading to the hospital was kept open for traffic. A visibly agitated Labour Minister and Cuncolim MLA, Joaquim Alemao later warned that he would not remain a silent spectator if the protestors are harmed by the police, while Cuncolim Municipal Chairperson Filon Vaz assured the people that he would call an emergency meeting of the Council to revoke the Occupancy Certificate issued to the NUSI-Wockhardt hospital. The people have also resolved to call on the management of Sociedade Agricola dos Gauncares to revoke and cancel the land lease with the NUSI hospital. The indefinite agitation began at 9 am when Union leader Raju Mangueshkar, while addressing the workers, thundered that no hospital can be run continuously with police around and termed it as a moral victory for the striking employees. “How many days and months would the management take police protection to run the hospital”, he wondered. Leader of the striking workers Union Oscar Martins said the people of Cuncolim will not allow any new patients in the hospital and warned the management and the police force not to play with Cuncolkars. “The land belongs to Cuncolim. We will not allow any patients inside till the demands are fulfilled”, he said, while making an appeal to the people not to refer any patients in the hospital. Addressing the people, Cuncolim Municipal Chairperson Filon Vaz said the city Fathers will solidly remain with the people and disclosed plans to call an emergency meeting to discuss the issue of revocation of Occupancy Certificate issued to the hospital. “The Council had issued the Occupancy Certificate based on political pressure. The hospital have not complied with our conditions”, he rued. Terming the NUSI-Wockhardt management as stubborn, Labour Minister Joaquim Alemao warned that the people will not allow Wockhardt to run the hospital. “For how many days will they run the hospital with police protection”, he sought to know and reminded the police and government that Cuncolim is a land of freedom fighters where the people will go to any extent to fight injustice. Asserting there will be no compromise on the 24 workers, Alemao said he would lead the employees to the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat after his return from the USA next. An agitated worker Manush Rege threatened to self immolate with his children if the management fails to reinstate the workers. “I am ready to die near the gate with my children. For the last two months, we have been starving”, he said. The 24 employees have refused to join the new Wockhardt management on probation after putting in years of service in the NUSI hospital. They have demanded their reinstating in the new management with continuity of service, which has been refused by Wockhardt management. The area infront of the hospital was virtually converted into a fortress with the police mobilising a huge force to tackle any law and order situation. Armed IRB platoons were deployed around the area and DySP Shamba Sawant was seen personally ensuring that no one assembled close to the gate or the road leading to the hospital. ---------------------------- HERALD 04/5/09 page 3 ---------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto: [email protected] ----------------------------------------------------------
