Bandh against UPA government evokes partial response in Goa

Panaji, Aug 20 (UNI) The one-day nationwide strike called by the left-backed trade unions to protest anti-people and anti-labour policies of the UPA government evoked partial response in Goa today.

Despite the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in vogue, a section of the state government employees stayed away from duties even as the government run ferry and Kadamba Transport services struck work, causing inconvenience to the commuters till evening.

Flight services, however, remained normal to and from Goa.

Transport minister Ramakrishna Davalikar told the state legislative assembly that stern action would be initiated against those who violated the ESMA while the government was assessing the situation as to who abstained from duties.

Private sector banks were not affected but services in some of the state-owned banks were hit while officers of some of the banks worked with shutters half open.

The government employees and different unions, including All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), organised a massive rally at the Azad Maidan in the heart of the city and censured the UPA government for its lapses, particularly related to its anti-worker and retrograde economic policies.

The rally, among other leaders of the state and central unions, was addressed by AITUC leader Christopher Fonseca and attended by scores of workers, including women, wielding red flags and placards.

Goa Government Employees Association President M L Shetkar told UNI that if the state government failed to resolve the demand of parity in wages by the end of this month, the employees would go on strike.

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