Ever since Goans began working at Heathrow Airport in London, they have become an integral part of the workforce and thousands of Goans now work in various positions in and around the airport. LUI GODINHO spoke to some Goans serving at Heathrow Airport
‘Goans play crucial role in all departments, are much sought after’
Leister Martins, an ex-merchant navy chief officer and President of United Friends Heathrow, London, who presently serves as a Baggage and Handling Operations supervisor at Heathrow airport, said Goans play a crucial role in all sectors in and around Heathrow Airport.
Leister Martins (4th from left) along with a group of Goan employees at Heathrow airport at the St George Chapel in Terminal 3 of the airport.
“There’s no department or sector left at the airport where Goans are not present. In fact, Goans are much sought after by different companies who engage with their services at Heathrow Airport, so much so that if you take any department, you will find Goans comprising 20-30% of the total workforce,” said Leister, who hails from Banda-Assolna.
Leister said Goans are prominently present in baggage handling operations, cleaning department, lounges/tea shops (at the counter, as stewards, chefs, etc.), providing wheel chair assistance, Heathrow security, tug drivers, logistics, check-in desk, passengers ambassadors, trolleys support, electricians and technicians, and Heathrow Airport passenger bus drivers, etc.
“Many Goans are working as supervisors in different departments, and many rise to become PEM (Passenger Experience Managers),” said Leister.
“The presence of the Goan community is such that you will hear Konkani language being spoken by staff more often than English across all terminals at Heathrow Airport.”
In fact, for the first time in the history of Heathrow Airport, the Goan community cutting across religions celebrated the Feast Mass in honour of ‘Goencho Saib’ St Francis Xavier with traditional fervour at the St George Chapel, in Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport on December 3, 2023.
The Feast Mass was celebrated under the banner of ‘United Friends Heathrow, London’ headed by Leister Martins (President), Deepak Naik and Herteberto de Melo (coordinators) and Taufic Bepari (treasurer).
The Goan community intends to continue this celebration this year as well and plans are afoot to celebrate a Mass in Konkani.
Leister believes that Goans will soon take prime positions in most, if not all, sectors at Heathrow airport within a few years.
“It’s a fact and a foregone conclusion that with the experience and expertise of Goans at Heathrow airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the world, Goans can easily run both Dabolim and Mopa airports. But will they get those high salaries that they crave for, given the hard work that they put in to give their families a decent life and life style,” asked Leister.
‘Goans are very good, flexible workers’
Pedro Estrocio, who serves as Allocation Manager at Heathrow Airport since 2009, has described Goans very good and flexible workers at Heathrow airport, even ranking Goan workers as top on his list.
“I have worked managed and allocated staff for the entire Heathrow Airport as per the client’s requirements. This staff allocation can be a normal day, a breakdown in the system or if they need extra staff. This needs to me monitored 24x7, and a last minute request could come any moment,” said Pedro, who hails from Panaji.
“We have nearly 80-90% of Goans to work with, and they are very good and flexible workers who are allocated across all terminals. My team has been actively recruiting staff all these years and my management is always supportive of recruiting Goans. We have many Goan supervisors, baggage handlers, drivers and even duty managers. I would rate Goan workers at the top of my list because of their flexibility, hard work, and friendly attitude,” added Pedro.
Goan volunteers as assistant chaplain
Hertiberto De Melo, who hails from Loutulim, is employed in the baggage section and also volunteers as the Heathrow Airport Multi-Faith Assistant Chaplain for the last 10 years.
“I assist our Airport Chaplain Fr Terkura Igbe as a pastoral assistant at Heathrow Airport Roman Catholic Chaplaincy, which is under the Archdiocese of Westminster,” explained Hertiberto.
He said volunteering for the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy at Heathrow has been an enriching and rewarding experience.
“In this diverse and dynamic environment, I have had the opportunity to support individuals from various cultural and religious backgrounds, offering spiritual and emotional support to passengers, staff and other members of the community,” said Hertiberto.
“As an assistant chaplain at Heathrow, working closely with Fr Terkura, I have had the privilege of serving across all the airport terminals allowing me to engage with wide range of people from various faiths and backgrounds, offering guidance and comfort in the moments of need.” “Working with Fr Terkura has enhanced my experience, as his leadership has helped shape my approach to chaplaincy, ensuring we provide compassionate care to everyone we encounter across Heathrow’s diverse community.”
THE GOAN | LONDON
Praising the many Goans for their valuable contributions at Heathrow Airport in London, Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira has shared his experience of interacting with Goans during his recent trip to the UK.
“On arriving at Heathrow Airport for an onward flight to Europe, our own Goemcars came to meet us and were so happy to meet us. So was I, to meet our own Goans in such distant land!
Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira along with a group of Goans employed at Heathrow Airport in London.
Later, having gone through security, when at the Lufthansa Premium Lounge, we were surprised to see so many more Goans,” exclaimed Ferreira, in a recent post on his Facebook page.
“They came from all the places where they were doing their duty at the lounge to meet and say a brief hello and more were yet to come at shift change at 1.30 pm (UK time) but since our flight was departing at 1.45 pm, sadly we could not wait to meet the incoming team.”
The Aldona MLA went on to stated that he and his wife were touched by the special services extended to them by the Goans at Heathrow Airport.
“In their midst not only did we feel we were in Goa, but we were touched that they took extra pains to attend to us and make us extra comfortable even serving us their Goan preparation (not part of the menu but what is allowed for staff to be cooked for themselves) making it an unforgettable experience when departing London!!! Sodanch mog asum! Deu borem korum.”
