Panaji: Activists Vishwesh Prabhu, Xencor Polgi and Sanjay Barde have accused the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC) of unjustified salary deductions from contract workers, including an 18% GST cut from wages. They demanded an immediate stop to the deductions and a refund of amounts collected.The activists alleged around 6,000 contract workers, including housekeeping staff and security guards, are affected. Prabhu said employees with a stated pay scale of Rs 36,000–40,000 are taking home about Rs 16,000 a month, alleging deductions of Rs 5,000–6,000 per worker as GST, totaling over Rs 3 crore in a year. They urged chief minister Pramod Sawant to scrap the GST levy and reimburse workers.They alleged deductions for uniform and laundry despite uniforms not being provided.Polgi alleged workers serving 10–12 years have not been regularised and that an assurance on implementing the 6th Pay Commission remains pending. The group demanded proper wages and a Diwali bonus.Prabhu alleged employees who raise concerns face punitive transfers to remote areas.The activists said they tried to meet the GHRDC managing director and chairperson, but both were absent.
