PANJIM: Even as the striking lifeguards have decided to continue with their ‘satyagraha’, Drishti Lifesaving has advertised seeking applications for lifeguards.
The decision to continue the strike was taken after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar refused to give the striking lifeguards a written assurance that the demands would be resolved but agreed to increase their monthly salary by Rs 2,500. Disappointed union leaders and lifeguards turned down the ‘verbal assurance’.
“He (Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar) had told us (on Thursday) that a written commitment will be given to us after consulting Parsekar. But the CM is not in the favour and instead conveyed a message to increase salary by Rs 2,500 per worker,” AITUC Convener Suhas Naik told the media after meeting Parulekar.
The workers refused to accept “stubborn Parsekar’s” verbal assurance and stuck to their original demands. “Our strike continues till the demands are met,” he said.
Parulekar on Thursday had assured to reinstate the sacked employees by February 15 and form a high level committee to look into other two demands on regularizing the service and increasing salary to Rs 21,000 per month. “We are very disappointed with the fresh development which means the government is not seriously considering our matter,” Naik said.
Parsekar has distanced himself from intervening in the matter stating, “A CM cannot intervene on an issue every time. The workers should approach the Labour Commission. Since the lifeguards are directly or indirectly related to its recruiting agency, the respective ministers are handling the issue at their own level.”
Meanwhile, the Additional District & Session Court on Friday revoked the ex-parte stay order against the lifeguards union and the workmen restraining AITUC from interfering with Drishti’s work of providing beach lifeguard service.
Naik, representing the union in court, pointed out that the Drishti management does not have the locus standi and authority to file the petition as the contractor license of Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd expired on December 31, 2015.
Speaking to Herald, Naik said there was a series of violations of the labour law pointed out in the report of the Labour department and submitted to the court.
The court has adjourned the arguments and asked the union to file its reply on January 12, and said the ex-parte stay cannot be extended till January 12.
