The GTDC event was for women who were interested in taking up a profession in driving, but ex-employees Whitney Fernandes and Shamili Naik argued that it was not what it (womens taxis) was touted to be.
“All the advertisements and promotions are made in the name of the Tourism department but in fact it is being handled by GETPL,” said Fernandes.
Working with the women are activists Swati Kerkar and Avinash Tavares. They claimed that the department had launched special tour packages along with the taxi service, a fact that questions the intentions of the department.
“If the taxis are meant to transport women from one place to another why is it that they are now taking money making initiatives and encouraging other women to join,” said Tavares adding that GETPL was monopolizing the women taxi service.
Kerkar on the other hand insisted that the women who were removed from their service were forced to sign a document that said issues related to salaries and resolving of dues was solved.
Fernandes and Naik have taken this issue of payment of dues to the labour commission, the hearing for which has been slated for May 5.
