------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- GOA DESC TOURISM WATCH for World Tourism Day on 27th September News You Can Use -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- Tourism Department in a spot over lifeguards ----------------------------------------------------------- The government decision to employ people from the Goa Contract Labour Society Ltd as lifeguards on the beaches, apparently to cut costs and long-term liabilities, seem to have created problems for the tourism department authorities due to various other reasons, and could affect safety of tourists who visit sea along the coast.
In view of rising deaths due to drowning in the sea along the Goa coast the government deployed lifeguards on all the beaches, big and small, in the state, a decision which helped save many lives.
According to sources in the tourism department, at least 40 lifeguards recruited by the GCLSL and "leased" out to the tourism department have been deployed at various beaches but unfriendly service conditions and "meagre" salary combined with bleak future has prompted many lifeguards to leave the jobs mid-way.
The sources further said that it was difficult to exercise "control" over these lifeguards, who normally tend to show their loyalty to their bosses from their parent organisation, the GCLSL. The sudden leaving of jobs by these lifeguards also pose problem for the department as new recruits have to be trained in life-saving techniques.
The tourism department officials also said that almost all the lifeguards hail from North Goa (from or around Tiswadi) and want that they be posted near their residences. This demand has put the department officials in quandary as they find it difficult to deploy in South Goa beaches, particularly to far-off Canacona.
They also said that some lifeguards who abruptly gave up job and took away the life-saving kits along with them, which was later recovered by the department officials.
The tourism department officials also confessed that that they could not effectively control the lifeguards from GCLSL and their orders were not "binding" on them; whereas in the case of lifeguards recruited by the department the department could initiate action for any lapse on the part of its direct employees.
The officials further said that of 40 lifeguards from the GCLSL, 28 have been trained at the National Institute of Water Sports and that the remaining 12 would be sent for training shortly.
Some lifeguards told The Navhind Times on condition of anonymity that their salary after standard cuts for provident fund, etc, was too meagre for the duties they perform at the risk of their life. They also said that those on regular service of the tourism department got a hefty salary with all facilities.
They said that there was no security of job which could be terminated at any time, adding that their insurance was also seasonal and in case of death while performing duty there was no likelihood of family members getting employment as is the case with government employees.
The tourism director, Mr N Suryanarayana admitted that there were minor problems with the system which he said would be sorted out soon. He also said that his department had 52 lifeguards, 12 on the rolls of the department and 40 from the GCLSL and that their number was not sufficient to meet the requirement of all the beaches.
Mr Suryanarayana, however, said that it is better to have people on roll of the department for effective control over them and discipline. He said that as per the safety guidelines followed all over the world the lifeguards have to work in pairs and to meet such a requirement minimum of 80 lifeguards were required. He also said that the lifeguards would be shortly trained in life-saving techniques by an expert in the field, Admiral Sharma from Pune.
Mr Suryanarayana further said that his department has found out that most of the drowning deaths take place between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. and most of those who die venture into the sea with heavy stomach and drunk. He also said that most tourist tend to ignore the warnings, of the lifeguards and the tourists police, not to venture into sea.
The tourism director informed that department has identified the dangerous spots at Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Colva and Palolem, where deaths occur due to drowning and steps have been taken to deploy lifeguards in shift system for atleast 12 hours per day to keep a watch on the people venturing into sea.
The tourism director further said that many people, mostly tourists, are not aware of the sea condition and get washed away by strong current. He said that the best way to avert tragedies is to exercise self restrains by the tourists as warnings signs etc have not helped. -------------------------------------- The Navhind Times 20/08/03 --------------------------------------
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