Bhimshakti Sangatan has claimed that the government’s decision to regularise workers who have completed 10 years of service followed legal action initiated by daily wage workers of the Margao Municipal Council.
Addressing a press conference, South Goa president Savio Coutinho said the announcement made by Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant in the Assembly came after a writ petition was filed by 18 daily wage workers of the Margao Municipal Council.
Coutinho said the organisation had opposed the temporary status scheme announced in July 2025, describing it as inadequate for workers who had served for several years. According to him, the scheme did not adequately address the rights of long-serving daily wage employees.
He said the organisation, with guidance from legal adviser Adv. Shivraj Gaonkar, encouraged municipal workers to seek legal recourse for regularisation of their services.
Coutinho said the municipal council allegedly attempted to pressure workers who demanded regularisation. However, 18 workers proceeded to file a writ petition before the High Court, which was listed for hearing for the first time on Tuesday.
The court issued notices to the respondents, including the municipal council. Later, the Chief Minister announced in the Assembly that workers who have completed 10 years of service would be made permanent.
Bhimshakti Sangatan welcomed the decision but said the government must ensure immediate implementation of the announcement.
The organisation also alleged irregularities in the payment of daily wage workers at the Margao Municipal Council. Coutinho said some workers who demanded their rights were reportedly being paid for only 26 days after deductions for weekly off days.
He warned that the organisation may initiate legal action against officials responsible if the issue is not addressed.
North Goa leader Pratibha Borkar appealed to eligible staff to approach the organisation for assistance in pursuing their rights.
Damodar Onskar said that while court proceedings may take time, justice is ultimately delivered through the legal system.
The organisation reiterated that the government must move beyond announcements and ensure the regularisation decision is implemented without delay.
Leave a Reply