Team Goemkarponn
SANGUEM: Around 30 daily wage workers, also known as Temporary Status Labourers (TSL), employed at the Botanical Garden at Salulim Dam in Sanguem, have demanded permanent employment, regular monthly salaries, and government employee benefits, claiming that many of them have been working on a daily wage basis for 15 to 25 years without their services being regularised.
The workers alleged that they have approached Sanguem MLA Subash Phal Desai on 17 occasions regarding their long-pending demands. According to them, the MLA assured them that he has been pursuing the matter with the concerned authorities. They also met Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant twice, who, they claim, assured them that their grievances would be addressed. However, the workers alleged that no progress has been made even two months after their latest meeting with the Chief Minister.
The workers further stated that they had sought the intervention of the Goa Forest Development Corporation Limited (GFDCL) and its Chairperson, Divya Rane, but alleged that no action has been taken on their representations.
According to the workers, they continue to work under 30-day employment agreements and do not receive regular monthly salaries. They alleged that wages are deducted for days of absence and that they are not entitled to paid holidays or other employment benefits, often resulting in delays in receiving their wages.
The workers also claimed that the corporation has recently recruited new TSL workers who are receiving regular monthly salaries and paid holidays, while long-serving daily wage employees continue under the older wage system. They said this disparity has affected the morale of workers who have dedicated several years of service.
The workers have appealed to the Goa Government to regularise their services, provide permanent employment, ensure timely monthly salaries, and extend all benefits available to government employees.
