Workers throng Shramik Mela 2017

Over 10,000 workers attended the Shramik Mela 2017 that made them aware of the facilities and schemes they are entitled to avail. An initiative by the state labour department, the Shramik Mela has been a yearly feature of the Mamata Banerjee government, creating awareness among workers.

The programme informs participants of the different labour schemes and benefits that they are entitled to avail. It also allows them to interact with industry owners and government authorities. About 30 stalls were set up in the mela this year. Issues related to labour laws and schemes, including minimum labour wages, were discussed at the mela.

The state labour department has been working to provide ‘Samajik Mukti’ card to about 1.5 crore workers of the unorganised sector in Bengal.

Shramik Mela to be organised in 36 different places in state

In a bid to help all workers from both the organised and unorganised sectors derive the benefits given by the state government, the state Labour department has taken a unique initiative of making people aware of the benefits by organising state-wide Shramik Mela.

Besides providing different benefits to workers of organised sectors, the state Labour department is targeting to provide Samajik Mukti Card to all the 1.5 crore workers in the unorganised sector. After the change of the guard in the state, the state Labour department has given Samajik Mukti Card to around 90 lakh workers. While from 2000 to 2011, the erstwhile Left Front government had brought only 23 lakh workers from unorganised sector under the scheme to provide them different benefits.

The Shramik Mela will get organised at 36 different places including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Raiganj, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Malda, Berhampore, Kalyani, Bolpur, Burdwan, Katwa, Asansol, Purulia, Bankura, Khatra, Tamluk, Haldia, Baruipur, Barrackpore, Diamond Harbour, Chinsurah, Arambagh and Kolkata. In each of the places, the mela will continue for two days in January.

In Kolkata, the Shramik Mela will be organised on January 27 and 28 at Jatin Das Park. There will be discussions on different issues related to labour laws and other aspects of the lives of workers. There will be stalls in the Shramik Mela from where visitors will get aware of the labour laws.

There will also be awareness camp on minimum wages of labourers. At the same time, they could also learn what their family members should do in case they face any accident while working in their respective places of work. There will also be programmes like financial assistance distribution among workers from 61 different unorganised sectors. There will also be awareness camp in the Shramik Mela about the employment bank.

 

রাজ্যের ৩৬টি স্থানে অনুষ্ঠিত হবে শ্রমিক মেলা

সংগঠিত ও অসংগঠিত ক্ষেত্রের শ্রমিকরা যাতে রাজ্য সরকারের তরফ থেকে প্রদান করা সকল সুযোগ সুবিধার ব্যাপারে অবগত হতে পারেন, তাই রাজ্যের ৩৬টি জায়গায় শ্রমিক মেলা অনুষ্ঠিত করার উদ্যোগ নিয়েছে রাজ্য শ্রমিক দপ্তর।

শ্রমিক মেলা অনুষ্ঠিত হবে দার্জিলিং, কালিম্পং, রায়গঞ্জ, আলিপুরদুয়ার, কোচবিহার, মালদা, বহরমপুর, কল্যাণী, বোলপুর, বর্ধমান, কাটোয়া, আসানসোল, পুরুলিয়া, বাঁকুড়া, খাটরা, তমলুক, হলদিয়া, বারুইপুর, বারাকপুর, ডায়মন্ড হারবার, চুঁচুড়া, আরামবাগ ও কলকাতা সহ রাজ্যের ৩৬টি জায়গায়। প্রতিটি স্থানে ২দিন করে মেলা অনুষ্ঠিত হবে।

কলকাতায় শ্রমিক মেলা অনুষ্ঠিত হবে ২৭ ও ২৮শে জানুয়ারি যতীন দাস পার্কে।

এই মেলার বিভিন্ন স্টল থেকে শ্রমিক আইন সম্বন্ধে বিস্তারিত জানতে পারা যাবে। ন্যুনতম মজুরির ব্যাপারেও সচেতনতা বাড়ানো হবে। শ্রমিক পরিবারের লোকেরাও জানতে পারবেন কর্মস্থলে দুর্ঘটনা ঘটলে তাঁদের কি করনীয়। এমপ্লয়মেন্ট ব্যাঙ্কের ব্যাপারেও সচেতনতা ক্যাম্প থাকবে শ্রমিক মেলায়।

উল্লেখ্য, সংগঠিত ক্ষেত্রের শ্রমিকদের নানারকম সুবিধা প্রদানের পাশাপাশি, রাজ্য শ্রমিক দপ্তর অসংগঠিত ক্ষেত্রে দেড় কোটি শ্রমিককে ‘সামাজিক মুক্তি কার্ড’ প্রদান করার লক্ষ রেখেছে। সরকার বদলের পর রাজ্য শ্রমিক দপ্তর ৯০ লক্ষ সামাজিক মুক্তি কার্ড ইতিমধ্যেই প্রদান করেছে। ২০০০ থেকে ২০১১ সাল পর্যন্ত তৎকালীন বাম সরকার মাত্র ২৩ লক্ষ সামাজিক মুক্তি কার্ড প্রদান করেছিল।

 

Unoganised labour in Bengal covered by social safety net under Trinamool

Social security for unorganised labour in Bengal was an unheard thing before 2011. After Trinamool Congress took charge of the present Government, from bus drivers to taxi drivers, from street hawkers to auto rickshaw drivers, all have been brought under social security schemes.

Left Front did nothing to provide social security net to unoganised labour

Only during financial year 2000-01, after 23 years of rule, did the Left Front Government make any effort to provide a social security net to the unorganised labour force of the state – a provident fund scheme with help from the Centre, named State-assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for Unemployed Workers (SASPFUW). It provided monetary assistance to both self-employed unorganised labour as well as those working under an employer.

Yet, if one is to compare the last three years of the Left Front rule to the first three of the Trinamool, 1.61 times, or almost 61%, more people have been brought under the scheme – 20,81,000 against only 12,15,000. Whereas the average number per year was 4.31 lakh during the Left Front rule, it has been 6.93 lakh during the Trinamool rule.

Construction labour – much more covered as well as benefitted

For the unorganised labour force in the construction sector, the first social security scheme came only during financial year 2005-06, 28 years after the Left Front’s coming to power. The BOCWA scheme covered healthcare, pension, death benefits, accident benefits, etc. However, the amount given out under all the heads have been increased two to three times by the Trinamool Government.

During its last six years (2005-06 to 2010-11), the Left Front Government could enroll 2,72,000 such labour, of which almost 80%, or 2,25,000 were enrolled during the last three years. Comparing this with the number during the first three years of the Trinamool Government, one finds that it is more than five-and-a-half times.

Coming to the number of people who benefitted from BOCWA, one finds that during the last three years of the Left Front Government, 7,530 families of construction workers benefitted; whereas during the first three years of the Trinamool Government, 5,66,000 families benefitted, which more than 75 times.

Yuvashree Scheme

Yuvashree Scheme is a scheme started by the Trinamool Government for the benefit of the unemployed youth of the State. The so-called people’s government of the Left Front could never think of such a scheme. From 2011-12 to 2013-14, 1,56,000 unemployed men and 87,000 women enroled. Thousands more are continuously enroling. Under the scheme, the first 1 lakh qualified candidates, until they get employment, are getting a grant of Rs 1,500 per month.

Trinamool Government miles ahead

Taking the SASPFUW and BOCWA schemes together, during its last 11 years, the Left Front Government could enrol 26 lakh people, whereas during only its first three years, the Trinamool Government has enrolled 33 lakh. During the respective periods mentioned, the Left Front Government spent Rs 9 crore, whereas the Trinamool Government spent a whopping Rs 176 crore.

At the same time, during the last three years of the Left Front rule, 1,72,00,000 man-days were lost due to strikes; this came down 265 times during the first three years of the Trinamool Government to only 65,000 man-days.

Hence, it is quite apparent that the Trinamool Congress Government is much more intent upon improving the condition of the unorganised labour force of West Bengal.

WB Govt: Ensuring social security of workers & reviving work culture

West Bengal Government always has the interests of the people at the top of the list of priorities. The government is committed towards providing employment opportunities to the youth, as well as ensuring the rights of the workers.

The Government is committed to reviving the work culture, which is reflected in the reduction in the decrease in the number of man-days lost due to strikes.

Social security of the labourers is also top priority for the All India Trinamool Congress led Maa, Mati, Manush Government.

Some of the achievements of the Labour Department:

New Employment Bank to provide new opportunities: The number of verified and registered employment-seekers so far after the Employment Bank portal was introduced in July 2012 is approximately 15 lakh. The number of verified and registered employers is 279 (as of 31.01.2014).

New Dimension Yuvashree Project: We have introduced the Yuvashree Project in order to provide the unemployed youth with monthly incentives. The project, with the message `Do away with despair, build up life,` is being implemented from October 2013. A decision to grant Rs 1500 as allowance to the first 1 lakh eligible employment-seekers registered with the New Employment Bank, to provide new opportunities to unemployed youth, has been taken. At present, 87,000 young job-seekers have availed themselves of this allowance.

Employment: During 2013-14, new employment provisions have surpassed the target to reach 13.22 lakh. We have planned to make more than 16 lakh employment opportunities in financial year 2014-15.

Enhancement of age-limit for recruitment to government jobs: The age-limit for recruitment to government jobs has been enhanced to 40 years in case of general candidates, 45 years for SC / ST candidates and 43 years for differently-abled and OBC candidates.

Reduction in the number of man-days on account of strikes: Work culture is back in the state after the new government has assumed power. The number of man-days lost due to strikes was nearly 3.06 crore in the span of 2007-2011 whereas it has been reduced to 60,000 during 2011-12. During 2012-13 it has further reduced to 5200 and till January 2014 the number is equivalent to 0.

More speed to social security projects: The number of registered workers in social security projects was 26 lakh within the span of 2001-2011, with an average of 2.6 lakh per year. The number jumped to 31 lakh, with an average of 12.4 lakh per year, from the period of May 2011 to January 2014.

An amount of Rs 9 crore was distributed among 45,000 workers from 2001 to April 2011. Whereas, from May 2011 to January 2014, Rs 176 crore was distributed among 6.32 lakh workers.

Samajik Mukti Card – all facilities at hand: Workers in the unorganised sector have easy access to their accounts of State-Assisted Scheme of Provident Fund for Unorganised Workers (SASPFUW) through smart cards. So far, 7.5 lakh workers in the unorganised sector have been given smart cards. 

Shramik Mela: For the first time, Shramik Melas are being organised to reach out to more workers in the unorganised sector.

Shramik Barta – all news ready at hand: The Labour Department has been publishing a quarterly Bengali journal named Shramik Barta since August 2013.

ESI – manifold increase in facilities: The ESI Hospital of Manicktala has been modernised through the introduction of modular operation theatre, and post-graduate courses in pathology and anaesthesia have been introduced in this hospital. This is the first ESI Hospital in the country to be declared a Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science and Research.

For the first time in India, a Pain Management Institute has been operational at the ESI Hospital in Sealdah.

Services of ESI Hospitals have been introduced in regions out of the purview of their service-areas. Service-dispensaries have been operational in Midnapore town, Berhampur, Malda, Rampurhat and Jamuria during the tenure of the present government.

Benefits galore for Organised and Unorganised Workers in Bengal

The WB State Labour Department in its endeavour to fulfil WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee’s promise for upliftment of organised and unorganised workers, have come out with a number of beneficial programme for the state workers. As already declared by the Chief Minister in the recently held Shramik Mela in the Milan Mela grounds, the same can be availed now with filling up of a form with a onetime fee of Rs 30.

 

Once the form is filled and submitted, the following benefits will be made available to the workers;

  • On reaching the age of 60 years the person will be eligible to get a pension @ Rs 1500 per month provided the enrollment is at-least 5 years old.
  • Family pension @ Rs 750 per month.
  • In case of natural death one time grant of Rs 50,000.
  • In case of accidental death one time grant of Rs 2 lakh.
  • In case of critical ailment or operation, the following medical assistance will be given. ( For Self- Rs 1 lakh yearly, self and family Rs 1.5 lakh yearly and Rs 30,000 as cashless benefit).
  • For wedding and maternity: In a gap of 5 years Rs 25000 twice.
  • Assistance in child’s education. (For Higher Secondary Education Rs 4000, For Graduation education Rs 6000, For Post Graduation education Rs 8000, Medical/ Engineering/ MBA education Rs 30,000).

 

The enrollment drive is now on and forms have now been made available by the Labour Department which can be procured from the following offices:

 

Kolkata

Office of the Labour Commissioner

4th Floor, 6 Church Lane

Kolkata – 700001

Phone: 2248-5721

Districts

In Panchayat area, the concerned Labour Welfare Dept’s office. In Municipal area concerned Labour Welfare office or Assistant Labour Commissioner’s office.

Toll Free No for assistance: 1800 10 30009.

We are committed to providing social security to workers : WB CM at Shramik Mela

Fulfilling the promise for all round development in every sector, WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee has taken up the cause for welfare of workers in organised and unorganised sectors. The CM Ms Mamata Banerjee inaugurated a Workers’ Fair today at Milan Mela Grounds, organised by the Department of Labour Department, West Bengal Government.

This endeavour is a big step which surely will enhance the standards of living of the workers. The government will not only provide with financial assistance but also educate the workers about their rights and safety measures to be taken in work place.

WB CM Ms Mamata Banerjee said, “We should simplify processes so that workers can get their benefits easily. Our government launched the Social Security Scheme for unorganised sector who have no PF or no insurance. We are committed to providing social security to workers”

Workers must be educated about their rights through these fairs. Such fairs must be held in every district. Your struggle inspires us to work. You are our pride”, she added.

Highlights of the measures announced at the fair:

  • Providing assistance to the construction / transport workers and workers from more than 58 unorganised sectors.
  • Registration at Employment Bank and providing Youth Incentives.
  • Construction of house and financial assistant for house hold power connection to the Bidi workers.
  • Counselling regarding West Bengal Shop and Establishment Act, Labour Act, minimum wages, Gratuity etc.
  • Counselling regarding the security of boilers.
  • Workshop on legal matters regarding security of workers, safety measures in prevention of accidents.
  • Counselling and providing information in connection of various assistance by the West Bengal Labour Welfare Board.