Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Saturday asked government employees to be punctual and dedicate themselves to their duty, warning that failure to do so would attract action in the form of a memo or even suspension from service.
“I have observed one thing. People look for government jobs because they don’t want to work or don’t want to be in time to office. This is a common attitude. They know, whether you work or not, you are entitled for VI pay, VII Pay Commission,” Sawant said.
“But this will not be tolerated now. We have already started issuing memos to those who are not punctual or are showing lethargy towards work,” he said. “If the situation continues, we would not hesitate even to send those employees home,” the Chief Minister warned.
In June, the Chief Minister had said that 20 per cent of the government staff does not work to the optimum level, warning of action against them.
On Saturday he was speaking at the inauguration of the Job Fair organised by Department of Labour and Employment, in collaboration with CII, GCCI, ASSOCHAM, GTA, NIPM and BNI. Some 50 companies participated in the fair offering 3,000 job opportunities.
Stating that government is working towards ensuring ‘job security’ in the private sector, Sawant said that another 5,000-6,000 people can be accommodated in the government sector. He also said that the government is working on a proposal, wherein through Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (HRC) it can provide around 10,000 ‘secured jobs’ in the private sector.
“Many people come to me asking for government jobs. But it is not possible to give 100 per cent jobs to every citizen. Even if God comes down and rules the State, he will not be in position to give 100 per cent government jobs,” Sawant said.
The Chief Minister said that at present there are 55,000-60,000 people working in government on a permanent basis, while another 10,000 are on contract and part-time basis. “We can accommodate another maximum 5,000-6,000 people in government jobs,” he said.
Sawant said that as per the records available with Department of Labour and Employment, there are 75,000 people who have registered with them for jobs.
Speaking about the Staff Selection Commission, Sawant said he has received support from all his cabinet colleagues. “The commission will help us to bring the required transparency in government job recruitments,” he said, adding that under the commission, each department would be entitled to advertise for the required posts only once a year.
Lamenting that people don’t go for private jobs due to lower payment and non-secured jobs, the Chief Minister said that he, along with Labour and Employment Minister Jennifer Monserrate, is in talks with various private companies to protect jobs of locals employed there.
St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes were amongst those present.
