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GOVT INVOKES ESMA
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DRISHTI SLAMS ITS
STRIKING WORKERS
>> See pg 3
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WHAT ARE THEIR DEMANDS
* Re-employment of 17 lifeguards whose services were terminated in 2014
* Enhancement of minimum monthly wages to Rs 21,000
* Security of service, life insurance cover, better service conditions
* Implementation of pension and gratuity
* Road-map for regularisation of the services of lifeguards
* Finalisation of retirement age at 45 to 50 years
* Provision of alternate employment after retirement
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PANAJI: Around 650 Drishti lifeguards under the aegis of All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) began their indefinite strike opposite the Captain of Ports in Panaji on Tuesday to protest the failure of the Department of Tourism and Labour in resolving their long-pending issues and to re-employ 17 victimised lifeguards whose services were arbitrarily terminated in 2014 by Drishti management.
The lifeguards had served a 21-day notice of strike on December 1.
The AITUC cautioned tourists and other visiting the seashores of Goa from December 29 onwards and requested them not to venture out into the sea for their own safety.
AITUC general secretary Christopher Fonseca alleged that the Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar and Labour Minister Avertano Furtado have not honoured their written commitment dated November 21, 2014 signed along with AITUC and representatives of Drishti lifeguards to re-employ 17 victimised lifeguards.
Other pending demands of the lifeguards include enhancement of minimum monthly wages to Rs 21,000, security of service, life insurance cover, better service conditions at work place, implementation of pension and gratuity and drawing a road-map for regularization of their services.
Finalisation of retirement age at 45 to 50 years and provision of alternate employment after retirement also features prominently among the demands.
“Only the government can fulfill these demands. Hence, the onus of responsibility of this is the government as they have shown utmost apathy to the issues of the lifeguards,” Fonseca said and added that the government should departmentalize lifesaving service.
Drishti management was also condemned for victimising the terminated 17 lifeguards.
Meanwhile, the office of North Goa Collector issued a notice to the striking lifeguards requesting them to move to Azad Maidan so as to prevent chaos near the Captain of Ports.
