Goa lifeguards’ strike upsets tourism industry

PANAJI - The tourism industry Friday urged the Goa government to get lifeguards back on the state’s beaches ahead of Christmas and New Year seasons, which sees a peak inflow of tourists.

Speaking to reporters, Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) spokesman Ralph de Souza said that the government needed to intervene and get the striking lifeguard back to work.

“The lifeguard service is vital on our beaches. Last year, they had saved lives of hundreds of people. Attempts should be made to resolve the dispute between lifeguards and management as soon as possible,” de Souza said as the lifeguards’ strike stretched into the fifth day.

Nearly 450 lifeguards, employed by a private beach management agency, went on strike five days ago, complaining of lack of pay and bad work conditions. In 2009 alone, tourism department figures showed that lifeguards saved hundreds of tourists from drowning.

“We dont want Goan beaches to be termed as killer waters because of this drowning curse,” said de Souza, whose TTAG has been the voice of Goas tourism trade in the last three decades.

“The department of tourism should intervene. They should try and sort out the issue,” he said.

Drishti Special Response Services (DSRS), the company which employs the lifeguards, has already terminated the services of 54 lifeguards, who have been spearheading the strike.

“We have also issued notices to over 300 lifeguards, who have also been striking work. We hope to resolve the situation soon,” a DSRS spokesperson said.

Goas tourism season from October to March sees nearly 2.4 million tourists, out of which half a million are foreigners.

–Indo Asian News Service