It is observed that every time the Goa government unveils a new mega project, a familiar promise that is made is of providing jobs for Goans. Whether it is the proposed aero-sport aviation hub at Quitol, the now-scrapped Unity Mall at Chimbel, or earlier infrastructure ventures, employment generation is held up as the justification. In a small state like Goa, where concerns about land use, environmental degradation, and cultural impact run deep, the assurance of jobs often plays the role of ‘dangling a carrot’ to the public. At the Manohar International Airport at Mopa, there is a widespread perception that a significant portion of the workforce, especially in technical and managerial role, has been recruited from outside Goa. Goans have largely been absorbed into low-paying jobs such as housekeeping, security, drivers, etc. Goa does not have a framework mandating a defined percentage of local employment. If mega projects are planned years in advance, why is there no parallel investment in skill development tailored for those projects? Development in Goa must focus on quality employment for Goans. Otherwise public resistance for these projects will only intensify.
