Goemkarponn Desk
Panaji: Aam Aadmi Party today demanded that the Government expand the definition of frontline warriors to include various elected representatives and staff of local bodies, so that they can be vaccinated on priority basis irrespective of their age.
Stating that they are at increased risk of covid infection due to the nature of their work, AAP Goa Vice President Adv Surel Tilve in a statement said that all people working in the panchayat offices and also municipal council offices should be declared as front one warriors. He said this should include all panch members, councillors, secretaries and office staff as well as ground staff. Tilve highlighted in particular the plight of sanitation and garbage workers who handle infected waste without any protective equipment, and said they should be vaccinated immediately, as well as given proper equipment and training due to the increase risk they face.
Meanwhile Capt Venzy Viegas, leader of AAP’s Seafarer’s cell said that the seafarers from Goa have to be vaccinated on a priority basis as the job openings on ships have just started and the recruiters are looking for vaccinated persons.
“The Goan seafarers have been at home for a long time now and are desperately looking forward to joining their job, and since the Government of Goa cannot provide them employment opportunities the least it can do is made it easy for them to secure their earlier jobs,” said Capt Venzy.
Capt. Venzy demanded that all seafarers holding any CDC, SID, LOI or any proof as seafarer should be vaccinated at the earliest and appealed to the government to set up a separate counter for vaccinating them without delay.