Govt employees in Goa call off week-long strike, join duties

Goa Government employees who were on an indefinite strike demanding higher pay scales from the State Government since June 9, today joined their duties after Chief Minister agreed to take a decision on the salary hike.

Panaji, June 17 : Goa Government employees who were on an indefinite strike demanding higher pay scales from the State Government since June 9, today joined their duties after Chief Minister agreed to take a decision on the salary hike.

Group leaders of Goa Government Employees Association (GGEA) took this decision in a meeting with Chief Minister Digamber Kamat at his official residence.

Kamat said he is ready to take a burden of 15.31 crore by increasing the salaries of the employees.

By invoking Essential Services Management Act (ESM), he also warned, "Whoever continues strike, will be terminated from the services. The government had also kept an alternate line of arrangement ready by involving contractual workers, probationers and employees on pre-employment training if strike continues."

Executive member of GGEA Madhu Nayak said after the meeting, "We are calling our strike off and will join offices from Tuesday."

Around 6000-7000 government employees were on strike.

ANI