Addressing the media along with the workers, Bhimshakti Sangatan South Goa leader Savio Coutinho alleged that the MMC continues to harass poor and marginalised workers by forcing them into litigation over simple matters. He recalled that after a five-and-a-half-year legal battle in the High Court, 12 of the 14 workers who had filed petitions received regularisation orders on August 5, 2025.
“Two of the remaining workers, who were not part of the petition but were entitled to the benefits of the August 2025 order, submitted a representation to the Council in September 2025 seeking regularisation on par with the other 12 workers. However, the Council ignored their request,” he said.
Coutinho criticised the MMC for pushing workers into costly court cases instead of showing sympathy towards employees who risk their health to keep the city clean. He said the Council should remember that taxpayers’ money is ultimately spent on such legal battles to satisfy the egos of certain political leaders. He further said that the 12 workers who were regularised earlier are yet to receive all their dues despite a contempt petition being disposed of in January 2026, after Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar assured the court that all payments would be cleared within four weeks.
“It appears that Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar wants these distressed workers to file another contempt petition against him, which may now be unavoidable,” Coutinho added.
