Team Herald
PANJIM: Taking note of an anonymous complaint regarding unjust work practices calling select staff to work on Saturday without communication, the Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) on Monday asked the North Goa Collector Sneha Gitte, IAS to file her reply and to remain present for the hearing on January 10.
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The anonymous staff from the jurisdiction of North Goa Collector and offices of Mamlatdar of Bardez, Pernem. Tiwdai, Bicholim and Sattari Talukas by a letter dated December 18, 2024, complained about the unfair treatment meted out to some of the staff members that infringes their rights.
According to these anonymous staff, the Collector has instituted a policy requiring only a few staff members (court clerks and MTS) to work every Saturday. The selection process for this seems arbitrary and lacks transparency leading to unfair treatment and discrimination. They have also enclosed the memorandum dated October 30, 2024, issued by the Collector.
The practice of calling only a few employees repeatedly has led to undue stress and dissatisfaction among the affected staff. This selective imposition creates a hostile and unequitable work environment. Despite working extra hours on Saturday, the memorandum clearly states that employees will neither be granted compensatory leave nor it states overtime as mandated by laws in force.
The staff stated that extra hours must be compensated in the form of overtime payment or compensatory leave. The additional workload and lack of rest had led to physical and mental stress among the affected employees compromising their right to health and well-being. They also have stated that the concerned Mamlatdars and Joint Mamlatdars have started threatening staff under their control warning them that no relief will be granted to staff to stay at home on Saturday and will be issued show cause notices for their absence which may even result in suspension.
The anonymous staff have prayed to investigate the matter and to direct the authority to stop the discriminatory practice; to ensure the provision of compensatory leave or overtime payment for the additional hours worked; to recommend fair and transparent policies regarding work distribution on Saturday and to safeguard the rights of employees to a balanced work-life schedule.
