the goan I network
PANAJI
Although the then Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane had boasted of an all Goan workforce, Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) is virtually forced to bank on manpower from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to fill the gaps as Goans have shied away from coming on board.
Speaking about the issue, Suraj Naik, Head of Operations at EMRI, said Goans were not applying to vacant positions for Emergency Medical Technicians
(EMTs).
“There is a big problem of manpower, so we are forced to bring in people from neighbouring states. We tried in Goa several times but have not succeeded. We will be advertising again for more positions in the next week,” said Naik.
What is the reason behind lack of interest in taking up positions at the Emergency services? Personnel hired by the company have to undergo several months of training and practice, that is paid for by them, but still the openings remain vacant.
Workers’ unions have in the past resorted to hunger strikes and protests to demand better working conditions and higher pay & wages. As a result of the recent strike by the Goa State Human Resources workers, the management was forced to revise wages paid to its employees.
While a senior EMT earns Rs 13,000, fresh and entry level EMTs earn Rs 10,000. Interestingly, pilots and ambulance drivers also take home a starting salary of Rs 10,000.
On being asked why Goans were not willing to join the service, Naik refused to give any reason. He instead said, there were some workers had put in years of service to the 108 Ambulance Service.
