Goa taxis to join strike tomorrow

Tourists arriving in Goa tomorrow may face hardships as taxi operators in the state have decided to join the nationwide strike call given by some central trade unions to oppose the proposed Road Transport Safety Bill 2014.

Eleven central trade unions had earlier given the strike call for tomorrow to protest against the proposed changes in various labour laws.

In view of the strike, around 8,000 taxis are expected be off roads in Goa tomorrow.

"None of the taxis will operate as we have supported the strike. Even the taxi services on airport and railway stations would be closed down," North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association secretary Vinayak Nanoskar told PTI.

Taxi associations from across the state have joined the strike as "the Bill is going to adversely affect the business," he said.

The trade unions in the state have already begun mobilising support for the strike.

Nanoskar said attempts to ply state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited buses will also be thwarted.

"All the private buses have agreed to stay off road for a day," he said.

Meanwhile, Goa government yesterday invoked Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) against the striking workers.

"There is no fear of ESMA. It is just a political gimmick to stop the strike. We have given 31 days notice in advance. All legal formalities required for the strike have been completed," All India Trade Union Congress' (AITUC) deputy general secretary Raju Mangueshkar said.

He said power supply in the state may be affected as the electricity employees associations in Karnataka and Maharashtra have decided to join the agitation.

"We are getting power supply from these two states. If they stop the supply, there will be power cut," Mangueshkar said.