Unemployment rising in Goa, need to study trend : CM Pramod Sawant

PANAJI: The state needs to study the reason behind the high unemployment rate, said chief minister Pramod Sawant as he pointed out that the private sector is struggling to get skilled workers in Goa.
There are over a lakh individuals registered on the state employment exchange or which three fourth are currently unemployed while the rest are looking for better prospects.
“Goa’s unemployment rate has increased significantly and to reduce it, this model career centre will play an important role,” said Sawant.“Many say that Goans are not getting jobs, but here the industry says that nobody is there to work,” he said while inaugurating the Model Career Centre and expressed concern over qualified engineers sitting unemployed at home.
Sawant said that graduates and qualified professionals should start their own business if they are unable to get employment. Sawant informed the gathering that after completing his Ayurvedic studies, he worked for a paltry sum or Rs 4,000 of which Rs 3,000 went in expenses.
“I realised that this would not work out and I started my own clinic. After that I got the chance of a government job,” the chief minister said as he urged youth to start working irrespective of the salary.
Labour and employment minister Jennifer Monserrate said the the state government has received inputs of workers being rendered unemployed because of the Covid pandemic. “A few cases have come to the chief minister and me. We will see how best to help them,” said Monserrate.
Both Sawant and Monserrate urged youth to take up employment in the private sector or self entrepreneurship instead of waiting for government jobs.
“When there is a mechanical engineer, IT engineer I get surprised when they are unemployed. Either they should get employed or start their own business. We have to study and find the fault,” said Sawant.
The state government has set employment and training targets for the Model Career Centre, which will be managed by the Confederation of Indian Industry.
Labour and employment minister Jennifer Monserrate said that the model career centre will empower Goan youth and provide employment opportunities for Goans. “It will conduct aptitude tests, seminars and training sessions,” said Monserrate.