Both stick to their stand
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, DEC 10
Most lifeguards of Drishti, beach management agency, continued their stir on the sixth day for higher salary and disregarding show cause notice issued to them by the agency on Thursday.
On the other hand Drishti stuck to their tough stance claiming that many lifeguards in South Goa sector had returned to work.
When contacted V K Kanwar of Drishti, said situation has been better today as at least, in South Goa absenteeism was less.
Of the total strength of 257 for South Goa — 95 lifeguards did not report to work.
“Most lifeguards in South Goa sector has reported to work today and we have taken lenient view of those who have voluntarily come to work,” claimed Kanwar.
In North Goa sector about 130 lifeguards did not report to work today, claimed Kanwar however adding that they have pulled in their in-house employees who otherwise conducted training programmes as also senior staff members to meet the shortage of manpower caused as a result of agitation by lifeguards.
On Thursday Drishti issued show cause notices to 308 lifeguards as they refused to relent and join work. They have been demanding that their salary be hiked from Rs 6500 to Rs 10000 per month for putting in ten hours of work.
Also, services of 54 trainees were terminated for participating in the agitation.
A lifeguard from North Goa who did not want to be named said, they would meet at Miramar on Saturday to decide their course of action even as he claimed that they have not given up their demand for higher pay.
He claimed that most lifeguards have not reported to work contrary to claims made by Kanwar.
“I know for sure, in North Goa lifeguards are still agitating and have not gone to work,” he said.
Kanwar claimed that the company is not in a position to accede to demands made by lifeguards as it is bound by the contract which it has signed with the department of tourism.
“All terms pertaining to number of working hours, salary et al, have been defined in the contract,” he claimed indicating there can be no change in package unless the government reviews the contract terms.
He further pointed out that at entry level a lifeguard is paid monthly salary Rs 6500 and is entitled for annual increment of 5 per cent. Plus there is a scope for increase in the salary as lifeguard climbs promotional ladder.
“There are 35 posts of captain who receive salary of Rs 8500 plus and 14 posts of supervisors who draw month salary of Rs 12- 14000 and two posts of zonal in-charge who get paid Rs 20000-24000 a month,” informed Kanwar.
