Maithan steel plant workers under the aegis of the Kalinganagar Mazdoor Union on Thursday sat on a dharna in front of the plant demanding permanent jobs and hike in salary at the earliest.
“We were assured jobs for our children in the plant but the assurances are yet to be implemented. Now, I reside along with my wife and three sons in a two roomed house near the plant,” lamented Ananta Jena of Trijanga village, who had lost 10 acres of fertile land for the plant.
Similarly, Pratap Jena, a fellow villager of Ananta, said “We have no choice but to hold protests. It has been 10 years since the Government acquired our lands. But the majority of land losers have not yet received proper compensation, alternate land or jobs”.
Addressing the workers and land losers, union president and Sukinda MlA Pritiranjan Ghadei said many locals lost their lands as companies assured them to provide jobs. But they have betrayed locals by not providing any employment. “Our trade union is determined to keep fighting for the displaced who have not got jobs and the employees who are not getting proper salaries,” said Ghadei. .