AITUC flags labour issues in Goa, says situation 'grim'

The labour scenario in Goa remains grim and the state government is doing precious little to improve things, the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has alleged.
"In Goa, the situation on the labour front is grim. There is no (full-time) labour commissioner. IAS officers are given the charge and they are often transferred after 2-3 months," AITUC state Secretary Suhas Naik told PTI today.
"When industrial dispute arises, the labour commissioner summons for discussion the aggrieved party and the management. But this practice has stopped. They have completely forgotten it."
Naik blamed the government for its indifferent attitude to solve labour disputes, which has "left the working class at the mercy of employers".

He claimed that the state has not notified minimum wages despite several representations and attempt to organise workers through unions is cracked down by managements who resort to tactics like job dismissals.
AITUC will be celebrating May Day on May 1 at Kranti Maidan in Ponda, where it will raise various demand of the workers.

"The Goa government's estimate is that there are 1.2 lakh workers who are unorganised. But the actual figure is over three lakh," Naik added.
The state government, however, refuted the charges, saying it is doing its best to help workers.
Goa Labour Minister Avertano Furtado told PTI: "We are doing our level best to help workmen in the state, but there are some issues which cannot be settled overnight.