PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has underscored the need for every labourer working here to be on the books and provided a 'labour card' saying it is otherwise difficult to reach them either to provide benefits of welfare schemes or to control crime, majority of which are committed by migrant workers.
"Every migrant worker coming into Goa should have a labour card. It is essential. Otherwise anyone comes, commits crime and disappears. It becomes difficult to apprehend them," Sawant said, lacing the comment with the argument that it (labour cards) will he help in providing labourers facilities like sanitation, housing and other facilities onsite, including educational facilities and scholarships for their children.
Sawant was addressing officers and others at the 'Labour Day' function organised by the office of the State Labour Commissioner. Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate was also in attendance as was the Labour Commissioner Agnelo Fernandes.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the home portfolio, said, 90 percent of crimes in Goa are committed by the migrant worker even as he stressed the need for their coverage under the 'labour card' scheme.
It will also help curb crime as the card will be a deterrent, he added.
