PANAJI: The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) has asked the Goa government to resolve a series of long-standing labour issues citing these are pending despite multiple requests and reminders.
At a protest held at Azad Maidan today, the union leaders raised another key issue -- to revoke the anti-labour notification that prohibits strikes in pharmaceutical companies.
As per the press note released, AITUC has also expressed concern over the government’s failure to implement the 7th Pay Commission for Panchayat employees, a matter that has been pending for quite some time.
Another issue pertains to contract workers employed in the PWD through the PWD Labour Supply Society Ltd. AITUC has called for the regularisation of these workers, who are currently denied benefits that should be afforded to full-time employees. The union has similarly raised concerns about the uncertain future of the 200 workers employed at Sanjivani Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd.
The Goa State Co-Operative Milk Producers’ employees are another group that AITUC is advocating for, as they have not received the long-overdue Dearness Allowance (DA) hike. AITUC has also highlighted the issues faced by women employees at the Sanjay Centre School for Special Education, who have reported harassment by the school management. Many of these workers, particularly those who have retired, are still awaiting their legal dues.
Workers at Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd. (KTCL) are facing delays in receiving settlement arrears, and pre-primary helpers employed in the Education Department continue to receive low wages, which AITUC has criticized as unfair. Additionally, AITUC has called for a resolution to the ongoing issue of overtime wages and duty rosters for staff working at the River Navigation Department.
The union has also raised the issue of workers in the Electricity Department, specifically the linemen whose services have yet to be regularised.
They also called for improvements in wages for workers across various sectors and the establishment of several statutory labour boards in Goa. These include the Goa State Contract Labour Advisory Board (GSCLAB), the Goa State Labour Advisory Board (SLAB), and the Inter-State Migrant Workers’ Board (ISMWB), which is currently defunct.
They called for an immediate revision in the minimum wages for all categories of workers in Goa, effective from 1st January 2025. The union proposed the following revised wages: The unskilled category at Rs 1000 per day plus VDA, the Semi-skilled category at Rs 1100 per day plus VDA, the Skilled category at Rs 1210 per day plus VDA, and the Highly Skilled category at Rs 1335 per day plus VDA.AITUC has also called for urgent steps to address the ongoing struggles faced by mining workers and other stakeholders who rely on the mining industry in Goa. The union has urged the government to find solutions to these challenges and provide much-needed support to those in the mining sector.
As part of a nationwide protest today at Azad Maidan in Panaji, AITUC also criticized the Budget 2025-26 for neglecting critical issues like rising unemployment, inflation, and the agrarian crisis. They condemned the government's pro-privatization stance, with minimal funding for education (2.6%) and healthcare (1.9%) that fails to aid the poor. The union also opposed the proposed 100% FDI in the insurance sector, fearing harm to the economy and public welfare.
They highlighted a lack of support for informal economy workers, marginalized farmers, and MSMEs, which have been adversely affected by previous policies. Additionally, they opposed labour reforms that they argue favour employers over workers, weakening the trade union movement. The unions are calling for increased corporate taxes, a wealth tax, and the restoration of social safety nets.
