Ruling party gave us threats: Govt contract workers

PANAJI: Workers employed in different government departments on temporary and contract basis, continued with their indefinite hunger strike opposite the captain of ports in Panaji, amidst allegations that the agitators were threatened to stop the strike.
Goa recruitment and employment employees union president Ajitsingh Rane said, “Our agitation does not have a hidden agenda.We are being exploited and therefore are suffering. It’s a problem we are making public.” Workers were elated that a BJP legislator Vishnu Surya Wagh and Pandurang Madkaikar (Congress) visited them on Thursday.
Now into day four of their indefinite hunger strike, the workers reportedly are being threatened and victimized for standing up for their rights. Addressing the issue, social activist Swati Kerkar said, “A vehicle came in late at night to pick up some of the protesters and took them to meet the authorities of the ruling party. Office bearers of the committee were left out from this meeting. Personal information of these select few was extracted and they were threatened. There was a woman protester among them and she was also intimidated with dire consequences. She was told that if she and other women didn’t stop protesting then she will be held responsible if any ‘misfortune’ takes place with the unguarded women.”
So far, 10 protestors, four men and six women, have been admitted to the Goa medical college and hospital, Bambolim. But, none of them stayed there longer than a few hours and rejoined the protest. “If any harm is caused to any protestor, Satish Dhond and chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar will be answerable for it,” Rane alleged.
Workers demanded immediate regularization of services, timely disbursement of salaries, a stop to the contract system in the government sector, and implementation of labour and industrial laws.