Vedanta has rehired 90% of former employees, says CM

MAPUSA
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced on Friday during the Goa Legislative Assembly session that Vedanta has rehired 90 per cent of its former employees while the remaining 10 per cent face issues that are expected to be resolved, allowing these workers to be absorbed at a later stage.

"So far, only Vedanta has restarted operations on their mining lease. We have instructed all mining companies to prioritise rehiring their previous employees. Vedanta has successfully employed 90 per cent of such workers," Sawant stated, highlighting the company's efforts to bring back its former workforce.

Addressing concerns about the remaining 10 per cent of employees, Sawant assured the Assembly that the issues preventing their reemployment would be addressed. "The balance 10 per cent could also be absorbed after resolving issues among them," he said. However, he clarified that the government could not mandate companies to rehire 100 per cent of their former Goan employees.

The Chief Minister's comments came in response to a query from Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, who questioned the government's measures to ensure that Goans previously employed in mining leases are rehired. Sardesai expressed concern about the employment opportunities for local workers and sought details on the steps taken by the government to facilitate their re-employment.

Sardesai also inquired whether the mining companies had registered on the mandated website for employment opportunities. In response, Sawant admitted that the companies had not registered as required.

This revelation raised further questions about the compliance and oversight of employment practices within the mining sector. The issue of employment in Goa's mining industry has been a significant topic of discussion, especially given the industry's historical importance to the state's economy and the livelihoods of many Goans.

The government's efforts to restart mining operations and ensure local employment have been closely monitored by both legislators and the public.

In addition to Vedanta's progress, Sawant emphasized the broader initiative to ensure that Goans receive maximum employment opportunities. "The government is committed to ensuring that Goans are given priority in employment across various sectors. However, companies have operational constraints, and we need to balance these with our employment goals," he said.

The Chief Minister reiterated the government's support for the workforce and promised continued efforts to address employment challenges in the mining sector.