Harassment, unpaid bills & lack of support raise concerns among workers
MAPUSA
E ven as authorities swiftly cracked down on a Calangute beach shack following a violent assault on tourists, shack operators across the coastal belt say a deeper, often ignored issue is fuelling such flashpoints – the increasingly abusive behaviour of certain domestic tourists that leaves staff provoked, humiliated and, at times, pushed to the edge.
Shack owners and workers claim that while incidents of violence are condemnable, they rarely occur in isolation. According to them, repeated instances of verbal abuse, intimidation and non-payment by unruly visitors have created a tense working environment where tempers can snap.
“Many tourists come heavily intoxicated and begin hurling filthy abuse at waiters over minor delays,” said a shack operator, requesting anonymity.
“Some shacks run with just one or two staff. If orders take time, the abuse begins. Sometimes they even attempt to hit the waiters. What are we supposed to do in such situations?” he questioned.
Operators also pointed to a growing trend of customers walking away without settling bills.
“They eat, drink and then quietly slip away, taking advantage of busy hours and limited staff,” another shack owner said.
The concerns come in the wake of Tuesday’s incident at a Calangute beach shack, where a group of tourists from Bengaluru were allegedly assaulted by staff, leaving one of them seriously injured.
While shack operators admitted that the response was excessive, they insist such reactions are often triggered by extreme provocation.
“These are not isolated cases. There are many tourists who behave in unacceptable ways – abusing staff, creating scenes and even disturbing other guests. They come with the mindset that Goa is a free zone where anything goes,” said John Lobo, General Secretary of the Shack Owners’ Welfare Society.
Lobo further highlighted instances where domestic tourists allegedly harass foreign visitors. “We’ve seen cases where they click photos without consent and even try to touch foreigners. In one such case, I had to call the police. But all they did was issue a warning. There has to be a stronger message against such behaviour,” he said.
Following the recent assault, Goa Police convened a meeting with shack operators, advising them to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and to report any untoward incidents. However, operators say the guidance fails to address the immediate realities on the ground.
“When we asked what we should do if tourists abuse or threaten our staff, we were simply told that tourists must be respected,” an operator said.
“Respect has to be mutual,” he countered.
Manuel Cardozo, President of the Goan Traditional Shack Owners Association, echoed similar concerns, describing the situation as increasingly alarming.
“No one assaults a tourist without reason. Staff are often provoked to breaking point. These incidents mostly involve groups of young men who come looking for trouble,” Cardozo said.
As Goa continues to balance its image as a welcoming tourist destination with the need to maintain order, shack operators are calling for stricter enforcement against unruly behaviour – warning that, unless addressed, such tensions could lead to more confrontations on the state’s popular beaches.
