PANAJI
The workers employed in janitorial services, housekeeping and washing of buses began their protest on March 1, after they were verbally told by their contractors not to report to work. KTCL had instead hired members from the Goa Human Resources Corporation to replace them. KTCL Managing Director Derrick Neto Pereira and senior KTCL officials, V V S Kuncoliencar, S L Ghate, G P Naik met with officer bearers of the KTC Drivers and Allied Employees Association and resolved to withdraw the GHRC workers and allow the striking workers to return to work on Thursday. “In our meeting, we were asked for suggestions and we said that the workers need to be taken back. The MD agreed to withdraw the GHRC workers and allow them to return to work,” said Christopher Fonseca, of AITUC who was part of meet. Fonseca also informed that it was also agreed that the union and management would take up the matter of contract workers and their service conditions with government for appropriate, judicious and timely decision. One worker, seated inside the Panjim bus stand pointed to how they were not provided with gloves and face masks when cleaning toilets. “It is only in Panjim depot that we were given uniforms, gloves and face masks when we clean the area and toilets. In the past and in other depots, workers were not given any equipment,” said one worker who had been employed at KTCL since 1986.
