PANAJI
Labour Minister Atanasio Monserrate has proposed amendments to existing labour laws to ensure companies that fail to adhere to the recruitment process are not let off with meagre penalties.
Responding to the ongoing controversy over outstation recruitment by companies for their plants in Goa, Monserrate insisted on strict compliance with the Labour Act and amendments including within the unorganized sector.
"The issue isn't about facing difficulties (by the companies); it's about adherence to the Labour Act. Failure to comply will result in action being taken and hence, amendments to the Act are needed to impose stricter regulations,” he said.
“It's important by the existing law that companies, during recruitment, send their job vacancies to the Employment Exchange first that will subsequently sponsor candidates at their end. Unfortunately, this is not being followed for which the penalty is a mere Rs 500. It is easily overlooked,” the minister slammed as he reiterated compliance with the Labour Act and stricter regulations.
In recent cases involving three pharmaceutical companies advertising job vacancies outside of Goa, Monserrate stated two firms have already been served notices, and a reply is awaited.
“The companies should first check local workforce availability before seeking candidates elsewhere… provide opportunities to the locals,” he added.
The minister also hailed the role of the Industrial Promotion Board in communicating about factories intending to commence operations in Goa and workforce requirements to the Labour Department.
Monserrate plans to meet Chief Minister Pramod Sawant even as pharmaceutical companies are also contemplating conveying their recruitment challenges to the CM and seeking solutions.
