Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed boat owners at the Cutbona jetty to compensate the families of workers who died from cholera while announcing additional compensation from the government.
During his visit to the jetty amid a severe cholera and dengue outbreak, the CM also stated that new rules will soon be in place wherein boat owners will have to pay an increased compensation of Rs 25 lakh in the event of worker deaths.
At least five migrant workers have died due to cholera with around 160 others affected.
"I have directed the boat owners to pay Rs 5 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased. The government will provide an additional Rs 5 lakh from the corpus fund," Sawant stated.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the CM had instructed the Fisheries Department to ensure proper hygiene and sanitation across all fishing jetties.
Sawant further stated that boat owners will have to bear the responsibility for compensating families because it was their duty to provide medical assistance or shift workers to the hospital. "They are responsible for the deaths. How can the government take responsibility?" he questioned.
The CM also called for improved labour conditions including mandatory health checks for workers before hiring and providing health kits on boats. He added that if a worker falls ill at sea, a replacement boat must be dispatched.
Sawant also ordered the evacuation of labourers living in makeshift huts near the jetty within eight days and directed officials to remove old and unused boats from the area. A contractor will be appointed to assess and sell the boats, allowing owners to reclaim them.
