MORPIRLA/PANJIM: Unemployment in Goa, while flagged across the political board, is more than an issue from the forests of Cotigao to the urban melting pot of Panjim and other towns.
Travelling through remote areas of Goa, the sense of unease at the struggle to make ends meet is very palpable
According to the 2023 report of Nitin Aayog Goa tops the rural unemployment figures and the overall figures. The same was quite evident in the visit to the remote village of Morpirla in Quepem.
In Morpirla in the tribal-dominated part of remote South Goa, Kalpesh Velip while speaking on jobs said that they are done waiting for a government job and have taken up jobs for lesser salaries rather than remaining unemployed.
O Heraldo spoke to the general public on this issue of unemployment. Soma Parab said, “Lot of postgraduates have no jobs. They do private jobs. There are no government jobs unless one uses influence, no matter who is in power.”
“Jobs are very difficult to come by. It is very difficult to get jobs. One has to use influence,” said Cipriano Lopes.
“It’s kind of difficult to get jobs. Companies are demanding more experience. We are not provided internships. However, even if you are competent, you require a bit of influence to get the jobs. Regarding inflation, for us it is okay, but people find it difficult to face the price inflation,” said Marshal, a student.
In November 2023, a report released by Niti Aayog stated that Goa had an unemployment rate of 10.5% in 2020-21, the third highest across Indian States.
The issue has resonated across the political spectrum. The South Goa Candidate of BJP Pallavi Dempo has also admitted to having faced the issue of unemployment during her campaign
The Congress has seized the opportunity to question the Prime Minister of India on the fact that the Niti Aayog has listed Goa with the third highest rate of unemployment state in the country. “The Prime Minister has to speak about this,” Capt Viriato Fernandes of the Congress and the INDIA Bloc candidate for South Goa said.
