[Urbanstudy] Travelpack launches Corporate terror against workers in Goa

[sebastian Rodrigues]

Hello!                                                                     
24th March 2005

The prime reasons as to why Transnational Corporations choose to operate in 
the third world countries the access to cheap raw material and ample 
opportunities for labour exploitation. Here I share the documentation as to 
how the British Corporate Travelpack has embarked itself in mamoth labour 
exploitation in Goa. It's raw material of course is the scenic beauty of Goa 
which the company is marketing worldwide. Travelpack crosses Rs. 140 Crore 
annual turnover (Highest in Goa) with tremendous generation of Surplus 
Capital in it's Possession. Forget about it's contribution to the economy; 
the British corporate is engaged in outright juicing out Labour. The 
Employees State Insurance is unapplicable in the Company and the situation 
of Workers is comparable only to the Slavery. Only Physical lashings are 
substituted with tongue lashings. Slave resistence threw up Spartacus and 
neo-colonial resistence are throwing up their own rebels. Workers in the 
Heart of Panjim City has taken up the cudgels against this unberable inhuman 
undignified labour practices, implimented by co-ercisive methods by 
Travelpack. The latest on 23rd March 2005 to get the taste of force are 
Sarvesh Bhosle, Michelle Souza Filinto, Srikrishna Madgaokar and Stanislaus 
A. Fernandes. They are all the office bearers of the Travelpack unit of the 
Trade Union- Goa Justice and Labour Foundation- were forced to submit 
letters of dissociation with Union under duress. Their crime has been to 
form the Union and challenge the injustice meted out to the working Class. 
Earlier for the past five months Travelpack is involved in harrasing its 
driver Albert Rodrigues who is now the President of the Union at travelpack. 
Here is the documentation of terror waged against him for the past five 
months. This shring is attempted with the intention to unmask true image of 
Corporate practices that lapses into criminal irresponsibility.

Sebastian Rodrigues.





From: Albert Rodrigues, H. No. 31/A, Igrej vaddo, Marna Siolim, Bardez-Goa. 
Pin code: 403517

To,
Manager- Operations
Travelpack
Sesa- Ghor
Panjim
Goa
Tel: 2438676/7/8. Mob: +919823096497
Friday, March 18, 2005

			Copy to people of Goodwill

Sub:- Loan Deduction.

This is to notify that Rs. 1000/- that was deposited in my account has 
withdrawn in order to make up for the recovery of the false loan deduction 
from my salary that has been going on from November 2004 without explanation 
and I request you to deposit the remaining amount to my account – with 
immediate effect.

I am in receipt of your letter dated 16th March’2005 informing me about 
transfer to Delhi office as well as deposit of Rs. 1000/- in my bank account 
for traveling expenses.

As I have already mentioned above this amount is channelised to make up for 
the company’s loan deduction with an intension to mentally harass and 
economically exploit me.

I view your latest letter of transferring me to Delhi Travelpack office as 
the latest in a series of harassment as victimization directed towards me. I 
take this opportunity to list out various styles and methods adopted to 
achieve this agenda by the management of Travelpack- Goa office.

As you are aware I join the office on 12th September 2002 and was confirmed 
on 12th March 2003. I had no problem in my employment till November 2004 
when I was rudely surprised to discover the deduction of Rs 465/- on my 
salary account at Corporation Bank, Panjim where as my salary slip did not 
indicate any deduction.

When Operations- Manager was contacted to find out about the deduction he 
informed me that deductions are as per the “Company’s rule”.

On 12th November 2004 at 10.30Hrs. Morning Operation- Manager called me 
asking weather I have gone to labour court. Half an hour later Operations- 
Manager again called up asking me weather I have gone to any labour forum. 
Further he warned me saying “things will be difficult to you. Think before 
what you do. I have no problem if you leave the job and fight in labour 
court”.

On 29th November 2004 at 09.45 am Operations- Manager called me in his cabin 
and asked me to give in writing that I have no problem in deduction of 
salary which I understood through him is going to continue for ten months. 
Further he informed me that my work duty is changing from general shift 
(09:30-18:00) to night shift (19:00 onwards till the next day morning). 
Operations- Manager asked me to surrender the company’s cell phone in my 
possession.


On 14th December 2004 at 15:00hrs. Operations- Manager called me in his 
cabin and showed me number of electronic mails received by him. Which he 
termed as ‘threat mails’. He told me that his boss e-mailed him asking 
inquiry about me. “If ACP takes the job to Baroda, then who is the looser. 
You are the cause of unemployment to your folks”.
My reply was “ deduction of my salary without giving reason is absolute 
robbery- because company is snatching my bread”. Operations- Manager called 
me radical. I responded saying what radical?
To this Operations- Manager spelt out his profound philosophy of life. 
“Every human being should stay happy with whatever you are having”.

I answered: “ I am happy provided there is no deduction of my salary”.
Operations- Manager then questioned me “ what guarantee I have that tomorrow 
you may not start company’s union. When matter can be solved with in the 
house why did you go to the third party”. I reminded him “when I came to ask 
justice you closed the topic saying it’s a Company’s rule.
Operations- Manager questioned,” what is a need to speak to the world?”
Gave the example of Arlem Beer employees union. He gave me the address of 
Goa Justice and Labour Foundation- Pernem. He told me to find out who is 
there in trade unions office and send them across to him.

On 18th December 2004 I wrote a letter to company Travelpack with the 
following text.

“I Albert Rodrigues am working for Travelpack as ‘Driver’ my salary slip of 
November 2004 show that there is a loan installment deduction of Rupees Four 
Hundred and Sixty Five Only. My employee code number is G0047.

I would like to know in which year did I have taken a loan and if what is 
the amount that I have taken loan with pertaining Xerox of the valid 
documents.
Waiting for the quick reply as earliest as possible”.

Company Travelpack replied after 03 long months putting me in to 
unimaginable mental torture. This speaks volumes on company’s attitude to 
its hard working employees.
The company’s reply on 16th march 2005 is as follows:-

“This is to inform you that amount of Rs. 465/- shown as loan deduction from 
your salary from November 2004, is towards the recovery of loss of Rs. 
4650/- due to damages to the vehicle No. GA.01 U 6059 in the accident at 
Ponda- Goa on 3rd October 2004.

The said amount is shown as loan deduction since it is outstanding against 
you.
The amount is deducted in easy installments so as to cause minimum 
inconvenience to you”.

The advance technology that is used to build the coach GA.01U 6059 did not 
match to the road surface condition prevailing in outskirts of Ponda city on 
03rd October 2004 this mismatch between the road condition and advance 
technology of the coach caused damage to the Right corner of Front Fiber- 
Bumper.

I as a Driver is not responsible for this damage. Operations- Manager 
instead of asking explanation to me went ahead with deduction from my 
salary, which my conscious does not permit me to allow as it has caused 
maximum inconvenience to me. This amount of Rs. 4650/- does not deserve to 
be outstanding against me.

In case in future if the company want to avoid similar type of damages to 
it’s coaches it has to replace advance technology with out dated technology 
that is suitable to the road’s like that of outskirts of Ponda city and not 
hold Drivers responsible for the damage.

On 02nd March 2005 at 11:33am I called transport supervisor and Human 
Resource informed about my ill health. But on very next day on 03rd March 
2005 Operations- Manager issued me a ‘Memo’ to divert the attention from 
loan deduction.
Here is the text of the same.

“ This is with regard to the leave application from you had submitted to 
Head of Department which was not duly authorized either by your Head of 
Department or the HR Department. The leave application submitted by you has 
no mention of the type of leave you had availed either. I.e. from (14th 
February to 16th February 2005) 03 days.

It was noticed that you did not inform the authorities about your absence 
from work on 02nd March 2005.

Your are required to submit to the management your reason for absence in 
writing by Saturday, 05th March 2005”.

Then on the same day (03rd March 2005) out of Blue Operations- Manager 
issued me a “warning letter” threatening to terminate me from the service.

Here is the text of the letter for your information.

“ This with regard to the pamphlets circulated, which the Head of Department 
and the Management has received the contents mentioned in the pamphlet are 
defamatory nature and maligning the reputation of the company.

You are here by informed to notify your involvement in the kind of pamphlet 
and E-mails circulated in the office and the web network to the management 
at the earliest i.e. by 07 days. If there is no written reply given by you 
regarding this issue within 07 days then with the exigencies of the 
management you will be terminated with immediate effect.
Note:07 days are with effect from the date of issue of the letter”.

This letter too was meant to mentally harass me. The day both these letter 
were handed over to me at my residence I was sick with injury to my hand and 
fever to my body.
In spite of prior intimation of my sickness, Operations- Manager issued me 
Memo as well as Warning letter.

I did not accept any of these letters but in my ill state of health I braved 
a counter letter to the
Operations Manager of Travelpack on very same day.
The text of this letter here I share.

“ On regard to warning letter I would like to clarify that there is a 
misunderstanding on company’s
part and I clarify that I am not involved in any of the pamphlet and E-mails 
circulated in office and
the web- Network.

Secondly regarding to the Memo this is sick leave, which I have taken, and 
not other leaves.
About a sick leave it has to be taken as per health of the individual and 
doctor has requested a bed rest for at least four days.

Please do take note of it.”

On 07th March 2005 at 12:15 noon Operations- Manager called me in his cabin 
and told me “ Albert as a friend I am telling you to resign and go; if you 
want to have good future. I have gone to DIG (
Police) the top guy so things will be difficult to you. Whatever I decide is 
not because of my personal enmity with you but it’s a chair I am holding is 
forcing me to act”.
I asked Operations- Manager to fix an appointment with 15 of my family 
members to discuss as to why there is loan deduction and subsequent 
harassment to me from Operations- Manager. Which he replied saying “ No I 
don’t want to meet anybody.”

On 08th March 2005 at 22:22hrs. Conversation through cell phone, which 
operations- Manager claimed he is recording.
Operations- Manager: Albert as you told that you are not well on 07th 
morning I have decided to keep you as emergency Driver.
Albert: sir, I have performed the duty on 07th March and I had more pain on 
that day then on 08th March. Can you tell me my duty timings sir?
Operations- Manager: From 07 O’Clock evening to eight hours.
Albert: That is 03 O’Clock in morning
Operations- Manager: yes.
Albert : can you tell me where should I be?
Operations- Manager: wherever you want, I don’t know.  I am recording the 
conversation here. I am recording you.
Albert: I have no problem you can record on best of recorder wherever you 
want. Can you tell me why there is no increment?
Operations- Manager: because you are fighting with me.
Albert: Are you paying my night allowances?
Operations- Manager: No, because you are not working for a whole day.

Its Operations- Manager who is preventing me from working for a whole day.

On 08th March 2005 between 22:39 hrs to 23:18 hrs the following occurred.
As I was sitting in an office I saw Operations- Manager walking along with 
one of the company’s top official.
I greeted them by standing. But they pounced on me and asking, “what is your 
problem?”
I said, “There is no problem to me”.
They asked me to come out of the office. As I was not completely recovered I 
sat on the floor outside the Travelpack office then Operations- Manager 
thundered. “I am telling you to go home. Since you have signed the register 
and as I am keeping you as emergency Driver you have to come sign the 
register and go home.
Top official : you are smelling of alcohol.
Albert : Test me, test me, you can take me for a test anywhere.
Operations- Manager: No. Kishor he is not drinking but he is different.
Albert: But that is not the work, work means 08hrs. Duty. I am going to be 
here till the shift ends and then I will be going home. Can you allow me to 
occupy chair at any corner of the office?
Operations- Manager: No!
Top official: Drivers  has to be in parking lot or are seen hanging around 
so you  can hang around anywhere.
Albert: Do you think I am goat, cow or pig then excuse me I am not- I am 
human being? So you want me to sit in open and fall sick with mosquito bite 
and die with Malaria.
Operations- Manager: It’s a part of job.
Albert: so company employs Drivers to die.
Top official: we are telling you to sign the register and go home.
Albert: Give me in writing so that I have a proof to answer, why I am going 
home.
Operations- Manager: It’s my order and you have to obey it.
Albert: All right! Then you’ll must not hold me responsible for going home 
without performing duty.
Top official: Once you sign means company has to pay your salary.
Albert: Sir, as you have come in picture, can you tell me when did I have 
taken a loan and in the month of October why there is no explanation of 
salary deduction? Means my Manager is a robber and he is robbing my salary 
as a loan installment.
Operations- Manager: yes, I am!
Top official: Lets talk one thing at a time. If it happened by mistake then 
I will clear your debited amount.  You call office see if I am free and then 
come because I am busy man.
Albert: sir, I am too small to call and see if you are free.
Top official: you come in office I want to clear your debits.
Operations- Manager: we treat Humans as Humans!
Albert: So from tomorrow onwards I am only entering in office to sign the 
register and going home, Yes, I agree to it. Thanks sir.
Top official: I know Albert you can do many things I can do many things 
Durga can do many things but let’s not do that.
Albert: If I get my debited money back then there is no problem as of now. 
Why my salaries are not been revised since past November.
Operations- Manager: It’s depend on attitude of the worker, for attitude 
there are 16 points which has to bring under consideration for the increment 
of the Driver. Since you are fighting with me there is no increment for you.

In spite of 16 points of attitude why the Drivers are given step- motherly 
treatment?
Why there is no dignified sitting place for Drivers?
Why there is no regular increment?
Why Drivers along with other company employees have no share in company’s 
profit?
Why Drivers are not provided the transport after the night drop?
Why additional duty has to be performed by the Drivers for e.g. washing of 
vehicle, extra hours of duty?
Why Drivers salary is not getting revised as per the price rise in the 
market?

As I was feeling thirsty walked towards company’s door with an intension to 
drink a glass of water. The Top official stopped me saying “ you cannot do 
that, must not even enter to drink a glass of WATER!


I request Travelpack- Goa Operations- Manager to stop this harassment latest 
of which is Transfer to Delhi.

I continue to be the employee of Travelpack- Goa office.




The text of the Transfer letter dated 16th March 2005 issued by Operations- 
Manager is as follows.

“ You hereby informed that you are Transferred to our Delhi office with 
immediate effect in terms of clause 2.1.2. Of your employment contract dated 
12th September2002. You are directed to report to our Delhi office at the 
following address: Travelpack, 101-110A, Samdutt chambers-1, Bhikaji Cama 
Place, New Delhi- 110066 with in 05 days from the date of receipt of the 
letter, i.e. on or before 21/03/2005. A sum of Rs. 1000/-(one thousand only) 
is deposited in your bank account No. SB 01/013003 in The Corporation Bank 
Panjim- Goa, towards your traveling expenses.

You are herby relieved from our Panjim office on receipt of this letter.

You are informed that all terms and conditions of your employment contract 
remain unchanged.

We wish you all the best,”

I reject my transfer to Delhi office as this transfer letter is meant to 
divert the topic of the loan deduction and caused further mental torture to 
me.

I once again assert that I continue to be the employee of Travelpack- Goa 
office and will be performing the same duty as Driver.

Hope this letter serves the purpose of refreshing your memory about the 
antecedents to the Transfer letter given to me. I also hope this letter 
serves as an important input to correct and change employee policies for 
smooth and efficient functioning of Travelpack’s- operation in Goa and else 
where in the world.


Sincerely,


Albert Rodrigues
Driver
Travelpack Marketing and Leisure Service India Ltd.

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