Mangaluru: MRPL MSEZ Guttige Karmikaru Haagu Santrastara Horata Samiti has set Oct 31 as the deadline for the district administration to address its demands on contract workers’ rights, jobs for land losers and the safety of residents living near the refinery, warning of an intensified agitation if no assurance is given.
Committee president Satyajith Surathkal said expectations of local jobs and development when MRPL was established about 30 years ago remained largely unfulfilled. He also sought a job for the family of Keshava, who died in an incident in 2022. Though the family received Rs 32 lakh in compensation, he said it had not been given employment. Referring to the recent explosion that killed two workers, Surathkal questioned the proposed Rs 5 lakh compensation against the workers’ demand for Rs 10 lakh. He also alleged that workers had to bear 20% of the insurance premium. The committee said land acquisition for MRPL’s fourth phase began 11 years ago and affected around 430 houses.
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The memorandum will also be submitted to district minister UT Khader, MP Brijesh Chowta and Moodubidire MLA Umanath Kotian, the committee said. Samiti submitted a memorandum to Dakshina Kannada additional deputy commissioner Raju K, seeking action on employment, safety and pollution-related issues linked to MRPL and MSEZ. The committee sought job security, medical facilities and an emergency accident-alert system for contract workers. Surathkal alleged that Jaya Shetty, general secretary of MRPL Mazdoor Sangh, had been kept out of work for seven months after raising workers’ issues. The recent explosion at MRPL has renewed concerns among Kalavaru residents whose homes are nearby. Download the TOI App.