BY AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
People from the North East are beginning to partake of the biggest slice of the tourism pie in Goa with hoteliers now looking at them as a viable workforce. Casinos, beauty salons and massage parlours, however, had recognised the work potential and opened their doors years ago.
“Boys and girls from the North East have mannerisms similar to Goans. They are clean, polite and approachable and that is why I prefer to hire labour from the North East”
Abhay Prabhu, Owner of Salcete Beach Resort in Colva
“Boys and girls from the North East have mannerisms similar to Goans. They are clean, polite and approachable and that is why I prefer to hire labour from the North East,” disclosed Abhay Prabhu, owner of Salcete Beach Resort in Colva, South Goa.
The labour market opened for people in the North East with the advent of offshore casinos. Gradually they were accepted in salons, spas and security agencies. They started being viewed differently by tourists and locals.
Hoteliers in Goa are now looking to employ staff from the North East, and most of the demand is being met by placement agencies from those regions. “Goa and Maharashtra are the most sought places, “confessed Sagar, North East placement coordinator.
“Goa is the preferred location of most people from the North East because; one, they love to eat what they want and they get it in Goa, and two, because Goans treat them with respect,” observed Sagar.
“We supply staff to most of the starred hotels in Goa and other parts of the country,” added Sagar.
Joy is and hails from Manipur, and she first came to Goa when she was seventeen. She has been working in a massage parlour and believes she can release the pressure on nerves and muscles with her subtle fingers.
“There have been times when I have had nasty customers demanding more than what they have been offered. I first explain and depending on the reaction either continue or I leave the room. It is very simple,” says Joy as she pushes her hair away from her forehead.
“As long as I am doing my job and I am doing a good job, I don’t mind what people think. I have been living here in Goa for so many years because I have eleven mouths to feed at home,” observes Joy, as traces of her name line her face.
Joy, who started by waiting at tables at a restaurant in Goa when she first arrived, learnt the art of massage therapy, and now finds herself in sync with the people and their lifestyle.
“I had to leave school after Std X. With no chance of continuing my studies, I came to Goa with my relative as my father – who is now a police Inspector – was the only breadwinner then,” shares Joy.
“There are times when customers show interest in me,” admits joy whilst claiming she is not ready to fall for anyone’s overtures. “I am not ready for marriage and so they can all try their luck elsewhere,” admits the Manipuri.
“I have staff from Bengal, Andhra and Odisha working in different departments of my hotel. Part of our job is to sort minor conflicts between the staff because they come from different strata of society, but in the end, they work well,” stated a hotelier from North Goa on the condition of anonymity.
“People from the North East normally fit into the front office and customer service. They are diminutive and very polite and clean, and most of the time are not confrontational,” voiced the hotelier.
“I have been working in a salon for the last four months. I have a friend who is a beautician, and she organised for me to be here. I am happy I came because Goa feels like a safe place”
Anita, a native of Sikkim
“I have been working in a salon for the last four months. I have a friend who is a beautician, and she organised for me to be here. I am happy I came because Goa feels like a safe place,” observed Anita from Sikkim, who enjoys pampering her customers with her facials.
Vephi from Nagaland has been in a salon in Goa for a year and says he has no problems working and living with other boys from the North East.
Vephi from Nagaland has been in a salon in Goa for a year and says he has no problems working and living with other boys from the North East.
“There are eleven of us from different parts of the North East in this salon, and our motto is to send our customers back happy,” says Vephi while silently stating that “rice and pork” make their meal and are easily available here.
Most people from the North East in Goa have charmed their way into society not just because of their contribution to the industrial labour market but on account of their work in homes with families as caretakers and nurses as well.
Most people from the North East in Goa have charmed their way into society not just because of their contribution to the industrial labour market but on account of their work in homes with families as caretakers and nurses as well.
As said by hotelier Abhay, a fine line separates them from Goans in the industry and trust bonds the two in day-to-day life.
