PANAJI: In a major pro-labour decision, the Goa government has approved a scheme to grant ‘Temporary Status’ to daily wage workers who have completed more than seven years of continuous service in government departments, corporations, autonomous bodies, and local bodies.
Addressing a press conference today, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that the move will benefit approximately 3,000 workers, who will now be entitled to a salary hike, annual increments, paid leave, EPF contributions, and other welfare benefits. The scheme will be implemented from August 1.
“Over 3,000 daily wage workers in Goa will now receive temporary status, higher pay, leave benefits, and EPF,” said CM Sawant. “We have ensured that they are treated with dignity and provided long-overdue financial security. Going forward, there will be no recruitment on a daily wage or NMR basis, only through GHRDC.”
Under the revised pay structure, workers such as cleaners, helpers, labourers, and watchmen will receive a gross monthly remuneration of Rs 21,800, with in-hand pay of Rs 20,000. Clerical and skilled staff, including drivers, electricians, masons, plumbers, and LDCs, will be paid Rs 26,800 gross and Rs 25,000 net per month. A 3% annual increment will apply across categories, along with employer contributions to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF).
Sawant noted that the current monthly earnings for many daily wage workers stand at around Rs 12,818. “This scheme represents a 52% increase in net pay for some of our most under-recognised workers,” he said.
In addition to the pay revision, workers granted temporary status will be eligible for one day of casual leave for every 15 days worked, 15 days of sick leave per year (accumulable up to 60 days), and maternity leave as per the Maternity Benefit Act. They must also be compulsorily enrolled in welfare schemes like the Atal Pension Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
Eligible workers must submit an undertaking to their respective Heads of Department (HoD) to avail of the scheme. The HoD will then verify the service record and issue orders accordingly.
The Chief Minister also issued a strict warning against future irregular hiring. “No department or authority is allowed to recruit anyone on a daily wage or NMR basis anymore. All hiring must happen only through GHRDC. Any appointments made outside this process will be considered invalid,” he said.
The scheme is expected to cost the state government an additional Rs 4 crore annually.
