TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Hundreds of striking contract workers affiliated to Goa Trade Unions’ Confederation have threatened to march to the State Legislative Assembly during the ensuing budget session, if the government fails to reinstate them and regularize services of the three groups of employees.
Security guards under the banner of Goa Recruitment and Employment Society (GRES) are on an indefinite protest since the first week of February, while the employees of 108 Emergency Services too are on an indefinite strike since February 15. Now, nearly 145 workers of the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs Employees Union are planning to go on a token fast from March 14.
The workers have resolved to demonstrate before the office of Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs on March 10, and hold a day-long dharna at Campal on March 12. A day-long token fast would be held on March 14 followed by a rally in the city on March 16.
Addressing media persons Tuesday, Union president Ajeetsingh Rane said that the workers would march to the Assembly during the budget session, which starts March 23, against what they called the BJP-government’s anti-worker policies.
“We will make sure that our voices are heard by all the 40 MLAs,” Rane said. He has also demanded that the State Labour Commission should take suo moto cognizance of anti-labour practices of government and act accordingly.
Around 145 daily wage workers employed with Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs were terminated from service on October 1, 2014. They had joined the service in 2011. After a long agitation, the workers were assured by then chief minister Manohar Parrikar that they would be reinstated within two months. However, till date they have not been reinstated.
