VASCO: Verna Industrial Association (VIA) and Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) have planned to team up to build a hostel facility for industrial workers at Verna.
Speaking to reporters after the 19th AGM function on Friday, VIA President Pradip Da Costa said the proposal had come up after the State went into lockdown, leaving many workers stranded.
“Looking at the pitiable condition of migrant labourers stranded without accommodation, money and food during the start of the lockdown, GSIA President Damodar Kochkar and I felt that we must first have food and money arranged and with various companies coming forward, tonnes of food were arranged for these workers.”
“We then planned that GSIA and VIA should tie-up to set up a hostel facility for all migrant industrial workers. They need not be only people from outside the State, but also people who travel from distant locations in Goa to work in Verna and cannot afford to travel every day,” said Da Costa.
He said the facility would be a model hostel with a good sewage system, good canteen facility, a fair price shop and also a healthcare centre.
“Besides, there will be a community hall because there could also be families staying in the hostel. This is our next project and we have already had our first round of talks internally and people have come with great ideas.”
“Hopefully in the next two years, this will become a reality and this could be a pilot project which starts with Verna and goes ahead in other parts of Goa,” said Da Costa.
