PORVORIM: NCP Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao demanded 80 per cent job reservation for Goan youths in the casino industry.
Alemao said the govt should intervene and ensure that Goan youths, who are trained in the field of hospitality and hotel management, get an opportunity to work in the casino industry. He said despite Goanyouth being willing to work in the casinos, majority of workforce employed in casinos are from North Eastern states.
“I can understand that you want the Casino industry as it helps the State’s exchequer earn the revenue. But at the same time, they should provide 80 per cent of employment opportunities to Goans. Our Goan youth are willing and ready to work on casinos but the casino operators are not employing them. Why?” he said.
Alemao said that there is no job in this industry that Goans can’t do. “Our youth are trained well in all those services that are provided in the casinos. If jobs are reserved for locals, it will help in solving the major issue of unemployment to certain extent,” said the MLA, as he raised serious concerns about the growing unemployment in the State.
Goa has six off shore and more than a dozen on shore casinos operating in Goa.
Alemao got the backing from BJP Panjim MLA Babush Monserrate, who said casinos have become a haven for outsiders for employment depriving locals. “Almost 75 per cent working on casinos are outsiders. The casino operators advertise in national and international papers,” he charged. Seeking an inquiry into the recruitments in the casinos, Babush challenged the govt to prove that even 7 per cent of those employed on casinos are Goans and called on the govt to take immediate action.
