Goa PWD contract workers plan strike to demand regularization

Hundreds of contractual employees working with Goa Public Works Department (PWD) would strike work on February 17, demanding regularisation of their services, a trade union leader said today.
"On February 17, all the employees working on contract basis with the state PWD would strike work with the demand that their services be regularized," All India Trade Union Congress secretary Suhas Naik told reporters.
"A memorandum listing the demands would be submitted to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and concerned government officials," he said.
"Every contractual employee would strike work and join the protest in a show of strength. We expect the Chief Minister to take necessary steps and regularize this workforce," he said.

Naik said the employees have been hired by the PWD under Labour Supply Society and are working in the projects of supply of potable water, water treatment plants, sewerage plants, construction of roads and other allied services in different divisions and sub-divisions.
He saidall the contractual employeesareperforming essentialjoboperationsofcontinuousnature. Continuingto avail their services underPWD-Labour Supply Society and denying themregular appointmentisunjustifiedandisan act ofunfair labour practice, he said.

"The Goa bench of Bombay High Court in a recent order ruled that the workers employed in PWD-Labour Supply Society areentitledforregular appointmentwhile filling in the regular vacant posts in PWD," he claimed.
"However, the PWDis now tryingto fill in the vacant posts by pick-and-choosemethod, withoutconsideringthe seniority in service of these workers employed under PWD- Labour Supply Society," he said.

"We are firm on our demand that all the workers presently workingunderthe PWD-Labour Supply Society areentitled for regular appointmentwhilefilling in regular vacant posts in the PWD. Most workers have completed over 10 years of service," he added.