NT Reporter Panaji
In a major relief to 3,000 plus daily wage workers working in government departments, semi-government bodies, corporations as well as municipalities, the state government has decided to formulate a new scheme to grant temporary status to daily wage workers, who have completed seven years of service.
With this new scheme, the government has decided to henceforth completely ban appointment of staff on daily wages in the government sector.
The scheme was announced in the annual budget 2025-26 by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The state cabinet on Monday granted its nod for formulating the scheme, which will come into force from August 1, 2025.
Addressing media after the cabinet meeting at Porvorim, the Chief Minister said the scheme aims to regularise and extend benefits to over 3,000 workers who have completed more than seven years of continuous service in various government departments, corporations, autonomous bodies and local bodies.
Under the scheme, eligible workers will be granted temporary status and will receive enhanced monthly remuneration.
They will also get leave entitlements and employee provident fund (EPF) benefits.
Sawant said workers such as cleaners, helpers, labourers, guards, watchmen and multi-task staff will now draw a net monthly pay of Rs 20,000, while LDCs, clerks, drivers, electricians, plumbers and equivalent staff will receive Rs 25,000.
This is a significant jump from the current average pay of Rs 12,818 for daily wage workers – translating to a 52% rise in take-home income. Annual increments of 3% will also be applicable to these workers after they get the temporary status.
“The remuneration will be revised notionally from the year of completion of seven years of service, and the revised pay with prospective monetary benefits will be effective from August 1, 2025. For example, a labourer who completed seven years in 2020 will now receive Rs 23,185 per month after accounting for 3% increments for five years,” Sawant said.
In addition, workers granted temporary status will be entitled to one day of casual leave for every 15 days worked, 15 days of sick leave per year (accumulable up to 60 days), and maternity leave as per the Maternity Benefit Act. Enrolment under central schemes like Atal Pension Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana will be compulsory to avail the benefits.
The Chief Minister also announced that the engagement of new daily wage or NMR (nominal muster roll) staff will not be allowed for government departments, corporations and local bodies. “All future appointments to be made compulsorily through the Goa Human Resource Development Corporation (GHRDC). Any other appointments shall be deemed null and void,” he said.
With this decision, the government will have an additional financial burden on the state, which is estimated to be around Rs 4 crore annually.
