PANAJI
The Drishti lifeguards continued their protests on Saturday despite a High Court order and implementation of essential services in Calangute. The lifeguards along with the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) held a protest demonstration and public rally at Calangute and Baga beach demanding implementation of public assurance that was given by the Tourism minister.
The rally that began at 11 am from Calangute beach station went on to Baga beach with red flags and posters culminating in a public meeting near Calangute residency.
The public meeting was addressed by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, President of Savera Organization Tara Kerkar, General Secretary, AITUC Christopher Fonseca, Dy General Secretary R D Mangueshkar and Secretary Suhaas Naik.
Lobo addressing the lifeguards apologised to them for not honouring and implementing the assurances given by the government at Azad Maidan earlier this year. He also committed to resolving their issues and that he would meet Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Monday while also ensuring that he would ask for the lifeguards to be employed with the Tourism department and not a contractor.
Tara Kerkar said that the BJP government was working against the lifeguards and that it had no will to resolve the issue while also pledging full support.
Christopher Fonseca while addressing the lifeguards said that the struggle was to secure better wages and a secured future for lifeguards and no contractor can give secured future and better service conditions to the lifeguards other than the Principal Employer i.e. Tourism Department.
The demands of the lifeguards seeking increase in the salaries at the rate of Rs 21,000 per month is fair, just and proper considering the highly skilled nature of the duties performed by these lifeguards.
He said that the liefeguards have performed excellent services and has given boost to Goa’s Tourism Industry and the lifeguarding operations are integral part of the Tourism Industry and the same cannot be outsourced through a contractor.
The lifeguards will continue their strike on Sunday and will proceed to South Goa’s Colva circle.
