Team Herald
PANJIM: Ahead of a crucial meeting called by Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar to resolve the issue of striking lifeguards on Monday, Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd, terming the ongoing strike as illegal, has said that the lifeguards are being paid more than the minimum wages promised to them.
“The tender provides that a minimum cost to company (CTC) of Rs 10,500 is to be paid to a lifeguard. The average CTC of lifeguards is above Rs 12,000. The CTC under the Minimum Wages Act in respect of our establishment is about Rs 7,390,” Manoj Agiwal, chief executive officer, Drishti Lifesaving Services Private Limited said.
“Thus it is evident that lifeguards are receiving wages higher than the Minimum Wages Act and also the wages stipulated under the tender,” he added.
Nearly three hundred lifeguards are on the strike for the last six days demanding hike in salary and reinstatement of the lifeguards whose services have been terminated.
Agiwal has clarified that no agreement on any issue has been signed between Drishti Lifesaving Private Limited and the Union. “Under the tender the minimum strength of lifeguards stipulated is 600. Presently, as on December 25, 2015, the strength is 643,” he said.
He said on December 29, when the strike began, 125 lifeguards reported for work. “The strike is illegal as lifeguards have not made any demand which Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd is required to meet and on the same ground it’s unjustifiable,” the CEO said.
