Kamat invokes ESMA; strike called off

The week-long indefinite strike by the government employees in Goa was called off after the invoking of ESMA in the state by Chief Minister Digamber Kamat.

The week-long indefinite strike by the government employees in Goa was called off after the invoking of Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) in the state by Chief Minister Digamber Kamat.

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The announcement to suspend the strike came late last night with the factions leaders of Goa Government Employees Association (GGEA) declaring their intention to continue parlays with the government while withdrawing their pen down strike.

The employees had struck work for almost a week demanding higher pay scales, pending implementation of sixth pay commission.

Goa government, which held several round of talks with the labour union leaders, acted with iron hand last evening and state cabinet decided to invoke ESMA.

"Whoever strikes will be terminated from the services. The government had also kept a alternate line of arrangement ready by involving contractual workers, probationers and employees on pre-employment training if strike continues," Kamat said in a press conference held here.