Goa Invokes ESMA, Bans Pharma Strikes for 6 Months
Panaji: The Goa government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1988, placing a blanket ban on strikes and work stoppages in the pharmaceutical sector for the next six months, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted supply of medicines and related products across the state.
According to an official notification issued by the Department of Home, Government of Goa, the state has declared the “sector of manufacturing, packaging, distribution and transportation of pharmaceutical products and components” as an “essential service” under ESMA. The declaration notes that strikes “would prejudicially affect the maintenance of supplies and services necessary for the life of the community and would result in the infliction of grave hardship on the community.”
The ESMA order, dated 07 November 2025, stipulates that no strike or work stoppage shall be permitted in any establishment engaged in the specified activities of the pharmaceutical supply chain, including manufacturing units, packaging facilities, distributors or logistics operations. The ban takes immediate effect and remains in force for six months unless extended further by the Government.
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Authorities have emphasised that pharmaceuticals are vital to public health and any interruption in production or distribution could disrupt access to essential medicines for patients across Goa. The Government’s action is aimed at pre-empting potential labour unrest and maintaining stability in the pharmaceutical supply network.
The move comes amid heightened concerns about the continuity of essential medical supplies and is expected to impact all stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry operating within the state, reports O Heraldo.
The Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1988, is an Indian law that empowers the government to declare certain services as “essential” to ensure public health, safety, or welfare. Once a service is notified under ESMA, employees are prohibited from going on strike or halting work, and any such action is considered illegal. The law is designed to prevent disruption in critical sectors such as healthcare, transport, and utilities, safeguarding the uninterrupted delivery of services vital to the community.
