Goa: Workers to go ahead with stir, despite ESMA
PANJIM, SEPT 6
The Goa Convention of Workers will go on with their one day strike today even as the State government invoked the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1988 (ESMA) today.In a press release issued here, the government under sub-Section (1) of Section 3 of the Goa Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1988 (ESMA) (Goa Act 20 of 1989), has prohibited strike by Electricity Department employees in all the esablishments/units/divisions/sub-divisions/complaintcentres/sub-stations with immediate effect.
The government has also declared River Navigation Department as essential services under the above act and prohibited strike in all the units / sections / ferry locations with immediate effect.
However, the Goa Convention of Workers said that it will go ahead with its strike.
The strike is a part of a nationwide strike called by the All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC).
The Goa Convention of Workers comprises all major trade unions in Goa including AITUC, INTUC, BMS, CITU, etc.
Suhhash Naik, convenor of the GCW said that workers and citizens will gather at 9 am near the Kadamba bus stand, Panjim and then organize a massive morcha near Custom’s House.
The strike is intended to force the government to roll back the price rise of food grains, essential commodities, petroleum products, etc.
Naik has further said that banks would also participate in the strike.