MSEZ jobs issue: Indefinite hunger strike begins

Mangalore, March 1: The job seekers in the project displaced families of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone on Tuesday launched an indefinite hunger strike in front of the office of Deputy Commissioner here to exert pressure on the government and the company to fulfill the promise of providing suitable jobs to the trained youth.

Over a hundred youth, belonging to MSEZ affected families, who have already completed training and those who are being trained at the Karnataka Polytechnic (KPT) are taking part in the protest, which commenced at 10:00 am. The protest is expected to draw support from various local organisations and influential personalities.

Currently, 186 candidates have completed the training imparted by the company, while 188 other candidates are still undergoing the job training. Most of them had stopped their education half way through following the company' assurance that they would get high salary jobs if they passed out training classes.

Speaking on the occasion, R N Shetty Kalavaru, who is representing the affected people, said that the MSEZ officials have cheated the project displaced families by breaking the promise of providing jobs to trained youth either in MRPL or in ONGC.

“The MSEZ officials had promised during the land acquisition that those who complete the training will be absorbed either in MRPL or ONGC immediately. Believing them, 186 members of displaced families, completed the training three years ago. However, they are still waiting for the promised job”, he said.

Officials had informed in the meeting held in Bangalore on January 29 that jobs will be provided to 186 candidates through a Trust, which will be formed comprising of people's representatives, job seekers, officials of MSEZ and MRPL, he said. “We will not accept the offer, if they are going to provide jobs under the Trust or any other contractors. Let them provide job to all job seekers either in MRPL or in ONGC,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Mangalore MLA Vijayakumar Shetty, expressing his support to the cause of protesters, urged them not to withdraw their decision at any cost as all the assurance from officials and politicians have proved to be utter lies. “As per my knowledge, a high level meeting has been held in Bangalore, in which a decision has been taken to convince the job seekers to withdraw the hunger strike. This is nothing but a conspiracy against you. Don't trust them and continue your struggle till you reach your goal,” he said addressing the protesters.

He also advised the protesters to fight for their cause united without bowing to any political pressure.

The protesters are of the demand that all the 186 trained candidates be immediately recruited either in MRPL or ONGC and a written assurance be provided for the 188 youth, who are currently undergoing training that suitable jobs will be provided to them too, immediately after they complete their training. If they fail to provide jobs, they have to pay a compensation amount of Rs 30 lakh for each candidate for spoiling their future, the protestors are demanding.