Panaji (PTI): Failing to pull off a negotiated settlement to end the strike by government employees demanding higher wages, the Goa government on Monday invoked stringent Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) to crackdown the week-long agitation.

"We will terminate the services of striking workers, if they continue their pendown. ESMA is invoked and it will cover all the government departments, not just essential services," Chief Minister Digamber Kamat told reporters here.

The Goa cabinet on Monday discussed the strike which has paralysed the state administration for almost a week now. Nearly 4,500 government employees under Goa Government Employees Association (GGEA) banner have resorted to pendown strike demanding hike in their pay scales. "We will put in action probationers, contractual staff and workers under pre employment training scheme to run the departments tomorrow," Kamat said.

State Chief Secretary J P Singh on Monday called an emergency meeting of heads of departments asking them to enlist all the employees striking from Tuesday.