PANAJI
Laboratory assistants and library attendants from high schools and higher secondary schools have alleged harassment by their managements.
Addressing a press conference under the banner of ‘Higher Secondary and College Attendants Association of Goa’, the members have alleged that they are being forced to work overtime and even during the holidays. Presently, the Association has over 150 laboratory and library attendants across the State registered as members.
“The guidelines state that working hours for laboratory assistants and library attendants is six-and-a-half hours. But by violating the guidelines, we are made to work for more than seven hours and even more. Additionally, we are asked to work even during the holidays,” said Association General Secretary Vithal Naik.
“Some of the schools make their attendants do work assigned to peons and sweepers like getting eatables from canteens and painting the compound walls,” alleged Naik.
Naik also revealed that laboratory assistants have not been provided with safety equipment like lab coats, lab shoes and gloves.
“We work in laboratories and are exposed to acids and other materials that are highly inflammable. Despite making several requests, we have not been given safety equipment. Instead of taking action after any incident occurs, it is better that we are provided with the safety gears,” said Naik.
The Association even approached the Director of Education with their grievances, but was told to approach their respective employers for the same since they were appointed by the managements.
“We have met the Education Director with our grievances, but he seems to be in favour of the respective managements. Guidelines provide for promotions to laboratory assistants, but school managements claim that there are no promotions,” alleged Naik.
The Association has demanded that they should be allotted duties only in laboratories and libraries,
the work hours should be six-and-a-half hours and should be treated as group C employees as per rules and should
be provided with safety
equipment.
