Panaji: A large group of workers on Wednesday morning gathered at the site of the under-construction of the greenfield international airport at MopaPernem, and held a protest over non-payment of their salaries. The protesters also reportedly got angry at one point during the protest and began pelting stones at the administrative building.
Officials, however, later said that the matter over non-payment of salaries was involving one of the airport works sub-contractors. They said that a settlement had been reached in the matter.
“There are at least 3,000 to 3,500 workers working at the airport site at any given point. The workers are those engaged by contractors, sub-contractors and sub sub-contractors. There was delay in payment by one of these sub-contractors. But the matter has been resolved. It was not involving the main contractor,” said a state official.
However, there were reports of the workers having pelted stones at the administrative building at the construction site, which is believed to have caused damage. A local said that his car, along with two others, parked at the site had been caught in the crossfire and damaged.
“All four windows of my car have been shattered. We have been assured by the company officials that the damages would be paid for. The workers were protesting claiming that their salaries have not been paid for nearly six months,” said the local.
Police were also seen entering the airport site premises to help restore law and order. State officials, however, denied that there was any major upheaval at the construction site.
“There was no major damage at the site, or else it would have been flagged to us,” said a state official.
Officials, however, later said that the matter over non-payment of salaries was involving one of the airport works sub-contractors. They said that a settlement had been reached in the matter.
“There are at least 3,000 to 3,500 workers working at the airport site at any given point. The workers are those engaged by contractors, sub-contractors and sub sub-contractors. There was delay in payment by one of these sub-contractors. But the matter has been resolved. It was not involving the main contractor,” said a state official.
However, there were reports of the workers having pelted stones at the administrative building at the construction site, which is believed to have caused damage. A local said that his car, along with two others, parked at the site had been caught in the crossfire and damaged.
“All four windows of my car have been shattered. We have been assured by the company officials that the damages would be paid for. The workers were protesting claiming that their salaries have not been paid for nearly six months,” said the local.
Police were also seen entering the airport site premises to help restore law and order. State officials, however, denied that there was any major upheaval at the construction site.
“There was no major damage at the site, or else it would have been flagged to us,” said a state official.