Lifeguards accuse Goa firm of hiring minors to guard beaches

A private firm in Goa was today accused of recruiting minors to guard beaches in place of regular lifeguards who are on strike and of illegally appointing workers on contract in the past.
However, Drishti Lifesaving Services Private Limited, the recruiting firm, has termed the allegations against it as baseless.
"We have photographs of minor children being asked to do the duty of lifeguard. By doing this, the company is not only risking the lives of tourists but also minors," Suhas Naik, leader of 'Drishti Lifesaving Guards Workers Union' told PTI.
The strike by lifeguards, seeking regularisation of their services and other demands, entered seventh day today.

Naik said they will take up the matter with government with the 'proof' at hand.
"Employing minors is a crime. The company should be booked under it (appropriate law)," he added.

When contacted, 'Drishti Lifesaving Services CEO Manoj Agiwal said, "I don't know from where they (lifeguards) come across such allegations. We never employed any minor".
The union also alleged that the firm lacked a contract licence when it was awarded the work to man beaches in 2010.
The company was first engaged for five years in 2010 and their contract was later renewed last year.
"The company illegally employed workers on contract, which now gives them the right to be absorbed by parent employee, the Tourism department," Naik claimed.

Agiwal, however, clarified that the company has already got a license to hire workers on contract.
The company has already dismissed the strike as illegal.