the goan I network
MAPUSA
Even as the lifeguards demanded scrapping of the contract with Drishti and to absorb them under an association formed by the government, Drishti Lifesaving Pvt Ltd on Tuesday has paid salaries to all the lifeguards, including those who have stayed away from work.
Drishti claimed that some of the lifeguards have joined duty, while most stayed away from work, even as the strike entered the sixth day on Tuesday.
The lifeguards in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said they were not happy to work under Drishti as the company neither paid salaries on time nor gave an increment or bonus.
“We are made to work in a very sorry condition where we don’t get water to drink and to bathe after the rescue operation. We want some job security and also some security to our family,” said the letter on a plain paper which was inwarded to the office of the CM.
The letter, however, has neither names nor signatures of the lifeguards but has the inward stamp of CM’s office.
Expressing faith in the chief minister, the letter further appealed to the CM that this was not just a question of 600 lifeguards but also their family members.
“Please scrap the contract with Drishti and take us under an association formed by the government where we will be paid by a Goan,” the letter said.
Drishti in a statement said that salaries have been paid to all lifeguards till September 30.
“The salaries of lifeguards including those who have stayed away from work over the last few days were credited into the accounts of the lifeguards on October 10,” the statement read.
The company said that due to marginally reduced strength, it has augmented more equipment and senior managers to the field and moved operations to intervention mode.
“This is to ensure that operations continue smoothly in an efficient manner and with a relatively smaller lifeguard force. Since Sinquerim-Candolim-Baga in North Goa and Colva-Benaulim in South Goa are busy stretches, an additional lifeguarding force of 25 from SRTA (Special Rescue Training Academy) has been deployed in both locations on the beach stretch,” Drishti said.
“These resources include lifeguard instructors and trainers. Additionally, Drishti has called in a force of 20 trained lifeguards from the Mumbai force to assist in the operation,” it further said.
