Panaji: Growing unemployment in the State was the focus of the second round table on Migration and Livelihood, organised by the Forum of Integrated Development and Research (FIDR) in Margao on Saturday.
The discussion underlined the decrease in jobs against the backdrop of the decline of major industries like mining and tourism.
Charudutta Panigrahi, mentor, FIDR, said the session sought to understand the ground situation and to share views expressed by various stakeholders with the government.
Noted film maker Dharmanand Vernekar, the media advisor for FIDR, said a think-tank comprising stakeholders is needed.
Camilo Fernandes, representing mining dependents, said unemployment is on the rise despite the State’s high GDP. “Stopping an industry is a kick to the stomachs of people dependent on it. Why should people suffer?”
Puti Gaonkar, president, Goa Mining People’s Front, said most of the 60,000 people directly affected were villagers. Prasanna Utagi, president, AITUC, called for a balanced approach to safeguard the interests of workers and those indirectly affected, like residents and farmers.
Serafino Cota, a hotelier who supports sustainable tourism along the South Goa coastline, claimed Tourism Ministers over the years have lacked the vision to create an action plan that will benefit local people first. Babita Angle, chairperson, Margao Municipal Council, highlighted the need for improving the employability quotient of the local workforce.