Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has proposed to bring an ordinance followed by a legislation to ensure job security to those working on contract basis in the private sector.
It is a welcome step, better late than never as the government has realised that job security is a major concern, especially in the post Covid-19 pandemic era when the shadow of uncertainties has begun to loom large.
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Ironically, the Chief Minister’s statement came on a day when almost 50% of those working at the social media giant in India, Twitter, were laid off.
Over the years, Goan youth have been accustomed to the old recorder playing that 80% jobs in the private sector would be reserved for locals, with no practical possibility of any such move. An assurance to bring in an employment policy by Sawant in 2019 in the Legislative Assembly has not materialised as yet, even as the State’s youth head for yet another mega job fair organised by the government for private sector jobs.
Thousands of youth are eyeing a suitable well paid job opportunity as Goa’s unemployment in September this year stood at 10.9 per cent, one of the highest unemployment statistics in the country; almost 70 per cent higher than the national average.
The crunch of lucrative job offers within the State is such that as per the confession of the Chief Minister, nearly two lakh youth have ditched white collar jobs for avenues outside Goa and the country. While skilling is necessity, remuneration which provides a sense of self-worth and makes ease-of-living a reality, is equally important.
Vocal for locals shouldn’t be restricted as an appeal to purchase homemade and locally grown products, but the very voice should roar to ensure local employment at as many avenues and levels where qualified local talent is available. Despite the assurances, local youth are up-in-arms as the government has so far failed to address their employment opportunities at the Mopa airport which will be inaugurated next month.
In such circumstances, the constant sneering at local youth for seeking a government job only articulates the disconnect between those in power and the powerless.
Over the decades the demand for a government job has only scaled higher with the implementation of every new pay commission. It’s no surprise that after the implementation of the Seventh Pay Commission pay scales, as the CM says even post-graduates do not mind opting for a LDC’s job.
Thus it would be prudent for the government to legislate and bring on board private sector pay commission which would design and implement pay scales in the private sector. In addition, the government should also ensure that the private sector pays remunerations at par with the pay scales of the government employees. Pay parity with the public sector will certainly help the government in ensuring that the youth are not dependant on public sector jobs.
If every Goan who is leaving the campus with a certificate of a certain qualification is guaranteed employment opportunities within the State, suitable and paid equivalently, then the focus on skilling-up will gain momentum.
