the goan I network
MAPUSA
Lifeguards employed with Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd went on a flash strike on Thursday morning for non-payment of salaries.
The lifeguards manning the Baga-Sinquerim coastal belt said Drishti had failed to pay them on time and also did not provide proper facilities.
“Initially, a company official told us that we will not get our salary today. But when we announced that we are going on protest, they said ‘we will pay your salary’ but also suggested that we are free to leave the service,” said
Videsh Moraskar, while speaking to the media at Calangute beach.
Moraskar said for the last five-and-half years he has been with the company, he has observed that the company has not been paying salaries on time.
“Every month we have to pay a penalty for delay in paying our bank loans. We are not given increments properly and no facilities are being provided to us. We are not even given a walkie talkie which is mandatory for rescue work,” he said.
He further said every time we question the delay of salary payment, the company blames the government for not clearing its bills on time.
“We want to know why the government has not passed the bills. Every month the company is troubling us,” he said.
Gauresh Kamat informed that the company has stopped providing refreshment but made them undergo rigorous training.
“Even water is not provided to us. We have to get drinking water from home. We ask the government why do you give the contract to a company that cheats people,” Kamat asked.
Pratap Kerkar urged the government to take the lifeguards under a government-run organization instead of appointing a private company.
The lifeguards said they were ready to resign from the company if they were not paid on time and provided proper facilities.
