VASCO
A visit by their former chief officer Elvis Gomes brought much cheer to the striking workers of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) on Friday.
Gomes not only criticised the circumstances which had prompted the workers to go on an indefinite strike, he also suggested ways to address their grievances and said such situations had never arisen while he had served as chief officer of MMC.
The striking workers were happy when Gomes interacted with them and extend his support to their cause, specially since many workers have known Gomes personally and had worked under him during his tenure as MMC chief officer.
“I have had a personal connect with most of these workers. Salary is a fundamental right and if workers have not been paid their salaries, then government officers of MMC should not be paid as well,” Gomes told reporters.
“These officers sit in AC cabins and don’t realise the ground issues and someone must enquire why these issues have cropped up. As per law, a salary reserve fund should have the money to pay salaries for a minimum of three months.”
“These are simple issues and I had resolved such issues in the past and it is unfortunate that the government has not been able to resolve the issue.”
“The government must provide an answer to this issue. These MMC workers never ever faced any issues while I was the chief officer. These people have a personal connect with me and I will do whatever it takes to help them,” said Gomes.
