Mandatory registration, social security for all Odisha migrant labourers

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 23:

Taking note of the plight of the migrant labourers who are subjected to brutalities by their employers, the Odisha government has decided to take measures for the safety and social security of these labourers.

Briefing media persons here, chairperson of Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, Subash Singh said the Board has formulated special provisions for these migrant labourers.

“Henceforth, all migrant labourers of Odisha going out for work to the neighbouring states would be identified and registered. These labourers and their families would be provided with similar facilities provided to 3.60 lakh registered labourers of the state. These facilities include ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh in case of death of any labourer at his/her workplace, Rs 1 lakh compensation in case of normal death, financial assistance to seriously injured labourers, financial assistance for medical treatment, children’s study, daughters’ marriage, child delivery and purchase of bi-cycles and other machinery,” Singh said after presiding over a meeting of the Board on Friday.

He said as per the decision taken at the Board meeting, registration of labourers working in 21 construction works such as brick-kilns, crusher units, sewerage and electricity would be mandatory.

“Apart from this, provision for supply of drinking water to the labourers converging at six places in Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) would be made,” he said, adding that a shelter for the labourers would be constructed in Jharsuguda and Kamakhyanagar.

Singh also informed that the Board has also decided to set up anganwadi and crèches for the children of labourers near their workplace in Keonjhar and Bhubaneswar.

“Besides,  the Board has planned to appoint a rural labour supervisor in each block of the district to ensure the welfare for the labourers in rural areas,” he added.