Team Herald
MAPUSA: Over 300 striking lifeguards working for Drishti Lifesaving Services had a meeting at Bodgeshwar Temple hall at Mapusa to discuss the future course of action in the matter on Wednesday.
One of the major grouses was that they are the people working for the safety and security of those visiting the beaches but they do not have job security nor do they receive regular payment.
At the meeting, they decided to form a union in order to find a solution to their employment and payment related issues.
The former Aquem Baixo Sarpanch, Siddhesh Bhagat, who was has offered his support to the striking lifeguards, said the government should not work towards taking away their jobs if they cannot provide them with jobs.
“This year it was a dark Diwali for many of our lifeguards. Their demands are genuine and they are as important as the police, ambulances and fire services. If our lifeguards don’t have security than what is the use of them risking their own life for others and the State,” he questioned.
One of the lifeguards demanded that the government takes care of them and their needs.
“Total injustice is being done towards us. We do our duty in the hot sun. Forget other facilities we are not even provided with drinking water. At the same time the number of tourists visiting the beaches has also increased. It was very sad to know that few tourists have drowned when we were on strike,” added the lifeguard.
Bhagat, the president of Yuva Goa, demanded the removal of Drishti and reiterated the NGOs support to the lifeguards who have served the State for the last several years.
“This is really a sad state of affairs that a non Goan company is throwing Goans out of their jobs. We Goans needs to stand firm and united with our youth and brethren. It should not be the Goan lifeguards who are thrown out of their jobs but in fact Dristhi should be removed. We need to think about the family members of the 600-odd lifeguards who have been serving us day and night,” said Bhagat.
“We request the intervention of CM and Prime Minister in this matter at the earliest before things worsens,” he added.
