MARGAO: The All Goa Life Saving Guards Union on Thursday protested at Lohia Maidan, Margao against the unfair labour practices of government agencies towards the lifeguards. The Union has demanded that the contract with Drishti be terminated forthwith and that the lifeguards who have been working for several years be absorbed.
“Drishti has not fulfilled the contract terms and conditions of the contract and we demand that this sham be terminated forthwith” said Union Leader Ajeetsingh Rane.
“We are unofficially hearing that the government is letting the contract continue illegally without any legal backing. If you can’t protect the work of the lifeguards at least confirm the jobs of the workers who have worked for so many years,” Rane alleged.
Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat also participated in the protest and expressed his solidarity with the agitating workers.
Kamat, who is also the Margao MLA urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to take immediate steps to resolve ‘the long pending demand of hardworking Goan lifeguards who are demanding justice. “The State government should immediately take the lifeguards under the government’s ambit,” said Kamat.
The former CM assured to raise the issue in the next Assembly session and to ensure that the lifeguards’ issues get addressed.
“Beach Safety and Life Saving service is the most essential service in a tourist destination like Goa. We have seen more than 16 persons lose their lives due to drowning since the time the lifeguards went on strike. The government should be sensitive towards the lifeguards and their demands. If we continue with this situation, soon Goa will become a drowning destination” Kamat added.
Congress spokesperson and union leader Swati Kerkar accused Tourism Minister Manohar ‘Babu’ Ajgaonkar of fully supporting Drishti Marine. She alleged that Drishti has not fulfilled many of its contract conditions such as installing CCTV cameras.
