Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 4: Over 72 employees have lost their jobs after a domestic call Centre, AEGIS Private Limited, decided to wind up its operations in the Valley.
The employees complained that they were dumfounded today to find the gates of the company, located on the city outskirts in Rangreth area padlocked. They protested outside the gate and raised slogans in favor of their demands.
Click here to watch video
“Today we found the gate padlocked and we were not allowed to enter,” Rihana, an employee told Excelsior. She has been working with the company for last two a half years and did not receive any prior notice. “We did not receive any prior notice about it and were assured job security by the higher ups,” she said.
Another employee said that the company received the closure orders on 14thOctober but they were promised their jobs would not get affected. “We were told not to worry about our jobs,” another employee said.
They alleged that despite being the active employees of the company they were denied entry today. “Since morning we have been begging in front of security guards for entry but they refused,” Shaista Saleem, another employee said.
She added that they have raised the issue with the Deputy Commissioner, Shahid Iqbal, who assured redressal of their issues. He even assured to increase the employee strength to 2000. “We have high hopes on him that he will come here and address our issues,” employees said.
Rakesh Pari, a security personnel on the main entrance said: “We received orders from our superiors to enforce shut down which we followed. We have nothing to do with the employees. We are just following the orders. We were asked to close the gate,” he said.
Meanwhile, the protestors sought intervention of Lt Governor, G C Murmu in the matter. “We want Government to think about us as we belong to poor families and have no source of income,” employees said.