Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government on Friday invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to prevent any strike or disruption in the pharmaceutical sector, declaring the manufacture, packaging, distribution and transportation of pharmaceutical products and their components as essential services under the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1988.
The Home Department, through its notification, said that any strike in this sector would seriously affect the supply of essential drugs and medical products, which are vital for public health and community welfare. The move ensures that the pharmaceutical industry—one of Goa’s key economic and healthcare pillars—continues functioning without interruption.
Officials said the decision was taken to safeguard the availability of medicines and medical supplies, as disruptions could cause grave hardship to the public.
