Rights panel notice to govt over compensation to Birch club fire victims

Panaji: Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) on Tuesday issued a notice to the labour commissioner over the non-payment of workmen’s compensation due to 20 workmen who died while on duty at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora following a fire on the night of Dec 6.

The Hotels Employees Federation of India filed a petition before GHRC. Subhas Naik Jorge, general secretary of the federation, said, “All the said 20 workmen are migrant workmen, and their dead bodies were transported to their native places by govt at govt expense.”


“We wish to bring to your notice that as per the Employees Compensation Act, workmen are entitled to compensation due to accident or death while in service,” Jorge said.

Jorge stated that since all the 20 workmen were migrant workers and their legal heirs are outside the state, Goa govt, and especially the labour commissioner, should take suo motu action to ensure that the workmen’s compensation due is paid to their legal heirs.







“The commission should also take suo motu action to ensure that the legal heirs of the said 20 workmen get compensation due to the death of the said 20 workmen from the employer. We request you to intervene in the matter and ensure that justice is done in the case of the said 20 deceased workmen,” Jorge said.

The commission chairperson, Desmond D’Costa, and member Pramod Kamat, in the notice, said that the complaint received from the Hotels Employees Federation of India was placed before the commission, following which the commission passed the order.

“Perused the complaint received. Issue notice to the respondent calling for his reply and to remain present for the hearing on Jan 29, 2026,” the commission said.

The commission stated that the labour commissioner is required to appear before the commission in person or through a duly authorised representative and submit the reply.



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