PDF youth demand immediate jobs in MRPL and ONGC

PDF youth demand immediate jobs in MRPL and ONGC

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, March 01: The Project Displaced Families (PDF) youths protested in front of the DC’s office on March 1, Tuesday demanding jobs in ONGC and MRPL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The protesting youths belong to families who gave up their lands for MSEZ. They had taken courses at KPT, following MSEZ’s promise that it would provide jobs for them in companies such as MRPL and ONGC. Many of them have now completed their courses and are waiting for jobs in vain although the government order states that MRPL and ONGC must provide jobs for PDF youths.

The PDF’s five-year struggle after losing their lands to MSEZ culminated in a huge protest held in front of the MSEZ office in Urwa on Jan 25, Wednesday. They recalled that Lokesh, one of the PDF youths, had attempted self-immolation at a protest held in front of the MSEZ office at Urwa Market on Jan 25.

They demanded that MRPL and ICPR must provide jobs for all 183 students and sign a letter confirming job opportunities for students who are currently undergoing training. They stated that they will not accept jobs through trust or contract. If the companies cannot provide jobs, they must pay compensation of more than Rs. 30 lakhs, they demanded.

The protestors stated that the MSEZ requested different deadlines on Jan 7, Jan 10, Jan 18, and Jan 22 to address their grievances, but did nothing. They also expressed anger that none of the top MSEZ officials visited them to listen to their grievances.

According to MSEZ terms and conditions, MSEZ is required to provide training and employment to one person in each PDF. A number of students, who have just completed the training, are now demanding immediate jobs. There was also a brief argument between unemployed PDF youths and members of the Samyukta Hitarakshana Vedike of Permude and Kalavar after the students alleged that President Bhujanga Shetty did not join the protest because he is supporting MSEZ.