MARGAO
Representatives of the fish processing units operating at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate were believed to have sought the government intervention to bail them out by exempting them from the provisions of The Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Regulation 2010 so that they can accommodate their workers inside the factory premises.
They are believed to have contended that given that seasonal nature of their business, it would not be possible for the units to get accommodation on rent in the villages. That’s not all. They are believed to have further argued that housing a large workforce inside the units would be beneficial for the industries and as well help reduce social problems if they had to be accommodated in the adjoining villages.
It is learnt that the affected units, highlighting the practical difficulties they encounter in securing accommodation for their workers in nearby villages, made representations to the Industries Minister and the Chairman of Goa IDC. They emphasised the seasonal nature of their work, which makes it challenging to find suitable housing for short periods. The units argued that housing workers within the factory premises ensures their safety and minimises problems in nearby villages.
Sources, however, said the lease deed terms between the Goa IDC and industries explicitly prohibit residential quarters within the factory premises, except in cases where the plot area exceeds 10,000 square metres, as stipulated by building regulations. This conflict between the practical needs of the industries and the existing regulations has intensified the debate on workers’ housing in Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
