Goa: Kamat demands intervention of Sawant to resolve pending issue of striking lifeguard

The Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat on Sunday, November 17, demanded an immediate intervention of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to resolve the long-pending issue of striking lifeguards which has resulted in almost 14 deaths due to drowning in Goa. Kamat, in a statement, demanded Chief Minister Sawant to call a meeting of the concerned officials and take necessary steps to enrol the lifeguards under its ambit.

In the statement, Kamat said,  "It is shocking and sad that another tourist drowned today at Arambol. The government needs to be sensitive and take immediate steps to resolve the issue of lifeguards by accepting their demand and taking them under the ambit of the government. I want to warn the government that if timely steps are not taken, the situation will lead to the drowning of the entire tourism industry, thus bringing a bad repute to the State as 'Drowning Destination'."

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Kamat further stated that the Goan lifeguards need to be given all help and assistance as they work tirelessly to save the lives of others. It is the duty of the government to ensure that no injustice is done to them.

"Tourism industry in Goa is already facing problems due to cancellation of various chartered flights, delay in allotment of shacks and overall economic slowdown. The government needs to boost up its efforts to ensure that tourism stakeholders are given maximum support and help to sustain the challenges," said Kamat. 

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The strike

On October 30, a state-appointed agency manning the beaches in Goa said it has initiated the process to terminate the services of its lifeguards who have been on strike for the last two weeks. Several lifeguards have struck work in the last two weeks over their various demands, including regular salary by the management of Drishti Lifesaving Services. The company also said that the new lifeguards were being trained and full strength will be reached by the end of November to handle the peak tourist season.

A company spokesman said that show-cause notices have been issued to the lifeguards over the last two weeks. "The company is following the procedures laid down by the law of the country and initiated disciplinary action against the staff absconding from work. Drishti cannot consider it a strike since no notice or charter of demands has been shared with the management," the spokesman said.

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(With Agency Inputs)