TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: After hectic deliberations for a face-saving compromise failed to end the Goa Employment and Recruitment union strike on Friday, the ice was finally broken when the government sent in its South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar along with Deputy Speaker Anand Shet and MLA Pramod Sawant on Saturday with assurances – albeit oral – that they would all be absorbed into service (through a corporation) and relaxations given on various counts including age limit.
Initially the government delegation was scheduled to reach the Azad Maidan at 11.30 am, but the trio reached the spot only after 1 pm. Thereafter they began negotiating with union leaders Ajitsingh Rane and Swati Kerkar and some of the striking security guards.
After the modalities were ironed out, Sawaikar and Shet met the guards who were on ‘fast unto death’ and offered them lime juice to break the fast. Later, the nine workers voiced their reservations to MP Sawaikar and were assured that all their problems would be sorted out and they would all be given employment with relaxations given on various criteria. All their salary dues too would be paid, they were told.
On Friday, the striking workers had refused to accept the oral assurance given by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar or even meet with his emissaries, after a meeting between him and representatives of the guards. Instead, they wanted him to meet them at Azad Maidan and give them written assurances.
Saturday, the police were out in full force and a 108 ambulance was stationed at one of the Azad Maidan gates. A day earlier police were prepared to take preventive steps to shift the workers on hunger striker to hospital and others to jail, but after Saturday’s compromise solution, there was no need for any such step.
The CM told the media that he had assured the workers that their unpaid salaries would be paid by December.
