While welcoming the decision of the Goa government to regularise temporary workers, Bhimshakti Sangatan has claimed that the move came as a result of legal action initiated by the organisation on behalf of daily wage workers.
Addressing a press conference, South Goa president Savio Coutinho said the government’s announcement followed a writ petition filed by 18 daily wage workers of the Margao Municipal Council before the Bombay High Court.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Coutinho stated that since the introduction of the temporary status scheme in July 2025, Bhimshakti Sangatan had criticised the policy, describing it as a “lollipop” for daily wage workers who had served for decades. According to him, the scheme attempted to deny workers their rights following a Jago v. Union of India ruling delivered by the Supreme Court of India in December 2024.
He said that despite being aware of the court order, the government introduced the temporary status scheme in July 2025. Acting on legal advice from advocate Shivraj Gaonkar, the organisation encouraged workers of the Margao Municipal Council to assert their legal rights.
According to Coutinho, 18 workers eventually approached the High Court by filing a writ petition, which came up for hearing recently. Although the court issued notices to the respondents, including the municipal council, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant later announced on the floor of the Goa Legislative Assembly that workers who have completed 10 years of service would be made permanent.
Bhimshakti Sangatan said the decision was a welcome step and cited several High Court rulings that support the rights of daily wage workers, many of whom belong to underprivileged sections of society.
Coutinho also alleged that an accounts officer of the Margao Municipal Council had been acting in a high-handed manner and manipulating decisions related to payments of daily wage workers. He claimed that some workers who demanded regularisation were being paid for only 26 days after deductions for weekly off days, despite court rulings stating that daily wage workers cannot be denied paid weekly leave. The organisation warned that it would take legal action against the officer if the issue is not resolved.
North Goa leader Pratibha Borkar appealed to all eligible workers to approach the organisation for assistance in securing their rights.
Another leader, Damodar Onskar, said that while court proceedings may take time, justice is ultimately delivered to those who deserve it. He also urged people from Margao to come forward with their grievances and seek support from the organisation.
Bhimshakti Sangatan further stated that merely announcing the decision on regularisation is not enough and called on the government to implement the decision without delay.
