PANJIM: The State government has decided to soon work on war footing to ensure that companies comply with its order that seeks establishments, factories, industries and shops to provide details of current employees to the Department of Labour & Employment. 

As companies operating across different parts of Goa are reluctant to share their database with the government, Minister for Labour & Employment Rohan Khaunte has allayed fears about infringing their operations. 

“Every time we plan an initiative, we look forward to the support and participation from the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Confederation of Indian Industry, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, medium and small scale industries etc,” the minister said while addressing selected companies invited for an interaction on State Employment Policy in the capital on Friday. 

“Fortunately or unfortunately we are not been able to trigger the aspect what we relate to in the last two years. I am very clear on one issue that government is a facilitator and we are not getting into anybody’s businesses but at the same time we need to be very clear that there should be no impartiality towards Goans,” he added. 

The minister insisted that companies give preference to Goans in a bid to address the unemployment issue as he reiterated that the department will in the coming days ensure the department’s notification is complied with. 

“The Employment Exchange is very clear to be on war footing henceforth to ensure that compliances are met in the interest of the industries and in the interest of the government. If the same Goans can find out a placement outside the State, then they can very well find a job in Goa and we can achieve this through a joint effort. We are not trying to impose something on you (companies) but requesting that the notification may be complied with,” he added. 

Emphasising that skilled Goans be absorbed in the companies as per the requirement and the unskilled can be imparted training to meet the job requirement, Khaunte explained to the attendees that sharing of employees’ details will help the government to list out the exact number of employed, unemployed as well as Goans and non-Goans in the job at different sectors. 

The minister also reeled out various initiatives undertaken by the department since 2017 such as transfer of manual service to the online mode among many others. With the discussion to help draft the policy, Khaunte said that creating a policy will be a “win-win situation both for the industry and the government.” He further cited how the IT Department has managed to tap the brain-drain in the last one year. 

“If there is any impartiality on the Goans, we will hit it with a stick and at the same time, whatever support is needed from the government we are there to extend our hand to you (the industries) as long as you reciprocate and understand the challenges the government faces,” he said. “We are trying to find a solution to our Goenkars,” he added