PANAJI: Daily-wage workers at the Botanical Garden in Salaulim Dam, Sanguem, have demanded regular monthly salaries and permanent employment. They claim that despite assurances from the Chief Minister on two occasions, including one made two months ago, no action has been taken.
According to the 30 workers, also known as Temporary Status Labourers (TSLs), many of them have been serving on a daily-wage basis for 15 to 25 years without their services being regularised. “We approached Sanguem MLA Subash Phal Desai on 17 occasions regarding our demands. MLA followed up on the matter and assured that efforts were being made to resolve the issue. We also met CM Pramod Sawant twice and he assured that our concerns would be addressed. However, despite two months having passed no progress has been made,” said a worker.
They further said they approached the Goa Forest Development Corporation Limited (GFDCL) and its Chairperson, Deviya Rane, seeking intervention, but alleged that no action has been taken so far.
According to the workers, they are employed under 30-day work agreements and do not receive regular monthly salaries. They alleged that wages are deducted if they are absent from work and that they are not entitled to benefits such as paid holidays, often forcing them to wait long periods to receive their wages.
The workers also claimed that the corporation has recently recruited new TSL workers who receive monthly salaries and paid holidays, while long-serving daily-wage workers continue under the old system. They said this disparity has lowered the morale of employees who have dedicated many years of service.
The workers are demanding that the government regularise their services, provide permanent employment, ensure timely monthly salaries, and extend all benefits available to government employees.
