PANAJI
The decision to end the services of 20 contract staff sparked off a heated argument at the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) meeting on Friday.
Incidentally, a decision was taken at the meeting to make permanent the services of another set of 85 temporary workers, while a decision on the other 280 contract workers will be taken at a later point in time.
Accusing CCP Commissioner Agnelo Fernandes of providing misinformation to the mayor, Corporator Surendra Furtado demanded the immediate reinstatement of the 20 contract workers.
“On what basis were these workers removed? Amid the pandemic when getting employment is difficult, the CCP has discontinued these workers. Where they will get a job now,” asked a visibly annoyed Furtado.
Demanding to know if these workers were given any intimation about the decision to discontinue their services, Furtado also sought to know if the commissioner had the right to discontinue their services without discussing the issue at the CCP meeting.
At one time, Furtado and Fernandes entered into an argument in the matter.
CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate, however, remained aloof and refused to comment on the issue, claiming it was an administrative decision.
Defending his decision, Fernandes said the discontinuation of services of 20 workers was under the law. Stating that the contract period of the 20 workers had expired on June 30, Fernandes said they were told not to come on duty from July 1.
“As the contract had expired, there was no need to serve any notice. The issue of contract renewal has to be discussed in the CCP meeting. However, the issue of contract termination need not be discussed in the meeting.”
“If the workers want to challenge the decision of CCP, they can challenge it in court.”
