PANAJI: On the occasion of International Labour Day, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) came down heavily on pharmaceutical companies in Goa for the arbitrary termination of workers and accused the government of siding with employers while suppressing labour rights.
Addressing a rally in Panaji today, AITUC secretary Suhas Naik alleged that the government has given a "clean chit" to pharma firms despite unfair labour practices. “The government wants workers not to protest, not to stand in front of the factory gates, or shout slogans. This is injustice. Demonstration is the constitutional right of every worker,” he said.
Naik claimed that some companies in Verna force employees to work excessively long hours, including Sundays. “Pharma companies are profit-driven, but making workers toil without adequate compensation is unacceptable,” he said, demanding a hike in minimum wage to Rs 1,000 per day and monthly salaries of Rs 26,000.
He criticised the government’s silence, saying, “The administration is apathetic. The Labour Commissioner's office works more like an Employer Commissioner's office.”
Commenting on broader issues, Naik said, “Unemployment, inflation, hunger and poverty are haunting the nation. Even engineers and MBAs are applying for clerical jobs. This is the tragedy of today’s youth.”
He also slammed the government over rising taxes and utility bills. “From GST to income tax and fuel tax, the burden is on the common man. Even popcorn now attracts 18% GST,” he said.
Calling for fair and living wages, Naik concluded, “If companies won’t follow Indian labour laws, they are not needed here.”
