Panaji: Several lifeguards posted by a private agency on Goa beaches have threatened to go on strike claiming that their salaries have been withhold for months.
Drishti Lifesaving Services which has been appointed as an agency to man the beaches claimed that they were not able to make the payments because State government have been delaying in releasing them the funds.
A group of lifeguards posted on North Goa beaches on Thursday resolved to go on a strike as they not been paid salaries for some months now.
The development comes when state has ushered into a tourist season with the arrival of first chartered flight this week from the Russia.
Drishti Lifesaving Services have said that delay in payments since the last eight months has put severe financial strain on the company as we have received no payments from the state government.
Company spokesman said that a total of Rs 12 crore is pending with the State government till date.
“Keeping a cutting edge lifesaving mechanism functioning well requires finances. One never knows when a severe natural calamity can strike and it’s important to keep the team motivated and ready to face the challenges,” the spokesman said.
Despite the delay in payments, Drishti has continued to stand by the people of the state due to the moral obligation we have towards the residents and stakeholders in Goa, he said.
The spokesman said that Drishti lifeguards have been working all monsoons along with local authorities in recent evacuation, rescue and relief operations.
“Salaries for all lifeguards are paid till September’19 as of this morning, less than an hour after receiving relief from the Government of Goa,” the spokesman added. pti rps
