Team Herald
PORVORIM: Minister for Labour and Employment Avertano Furtado assured the State Legislative Assembly that action will be initiated against the beach cleaning contractor for any labour lapses. He has also promised to take action against his labour inspectors if any misdeeds were noticed on their parts while dealing with the labour issue of the beach cleaning.
The beach cleaning contract has been in controversy due to the multiple reasons, the tendering process was also challenged and it is pending before the Goa Lokayukta. The case was also inquired by the State Crime Branch but unfortunately it was closed.
“I will take strict action against the labor inspector and also investigate the labour violations if any by the beach cleaning contractor,” Minister Furtado told the House on Friday.
The issue of beach cleaning labour violations was raised by Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte on the floor of the house on Friday. He questioned labour minister whether any surprise checks have been conducted by the department to check the labour on the beach. He also wanted to know whether all the basic norms of labour laws have been followed properly.
However, the minister was unable to answer it on the floor of the House and said that the Department of Labour has conducted one check in June 2016 at the office where they have just checked the register.
However, he said, “we will investigate in the matter”.
The leader of Opposition, Pratapsingh Rane said that the agency which has employed more than 100 labourers to clean the beaches of Goa have not been seen on beaches anytime. He asked for a thorough investigation whether they are really working and salaries have been given to them as per the norms of minimum wages.
