Panaji, Oct 17 (TOI): Captain of ports James Braganza on Thursday issued suspension orders with immediate effect to five employees-- machinist Shridhar Phadte and coxswains Benjamin Joao, Laximikant Phadte, Sebastiao Antao and Francisco De Araujo --all from the traffic section of the river navigation department. The orders were issued in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-rule (1) of Rule 10 of the Central Civil Services Rules 1965. The orders state that they acted against public interest and were involved in physically threatening the department staff who continued to operate ferry services on October 12. The five staff members are not allowed to be at the traffic cell of the department at Betim and "should not involve himself in the operational activities and should not cause disturbance in the functioning of the traffic cell in any matter. He should report to the maritime school at Britona and should be available as and when required", the report states. It further states that they will be entitled for payment of subsistence allowance during the period of suspension.

The suspension orders were issued following the two-hour ferry strike called by the government of India navigation employees union (Goa) consisting of river navigation department's flotilla workers who operate the ferry service. They were protesting the government's failure to pay their pending overtime wages of the last 18 months and overtime wages as per VI Pay Commission since 2006. The government had invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) and declared the strike illegal. The order directed staff to report to duty and ensure smooth and uninterrupted plying of ferries. The union had protested in April and June and threatened to go on strike again if their demands aren't met.