At the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) meeting, their chief stated that the economy of the State is not in very good condition and needs to create more industries. Industries minister Mahadev Naik’s dream is to create jobs in large numbers for Goans. Successive governments have acquired our land for industrial estates with more jobs being taken up by non-Goans. None of them has acted in the interests of Goans. The industrialists enjoy the subsidies, benefits and declare them as sick units after a few years. Good industries meet the “Maggi situation” at behest of politicians.
Can our minister protect the Goan interest with minimum wages being paid in the industrial estate? Are wages sufficient for a decent living in Goa? Sufficient amount for medical and accidental insurance coverage, obedient with minimum hours of work, good security benefits like provident fund and pension etc, not forgetting benefits like travel, holidays etc? If all such benefits are not covered, then Goans will prefer not to work in the present industrial estates and land scams will continue.
James Moraes, Cuncolim
