1 percent sop for workers
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 07 2011:
For all constructions taken up by the public sector as well as private sector, one per cent of the estimated costs would be deducted and the same would be given to the labourers.
The Union Ministry of Labour has taken up a special initiative in this regard, informed an official source.
The new initiative aimed at benefiting workers was taken up under the Building Construction Workers Welfare Act.
However, though the said Act has already been implemented in other States thereby providing certain benefits to workers, the same Act has not been enforced in Manipur till date.
Nevertheless, following strong pressure from the Ministry of Labour to the Chief Secretaries, on a directive from the Supreme Court to implement the Act in all States, the State Government has been making hectic efforts to enforce the same Act in Manipur.
Under the Building Construction Workers Welfare Act, the Manipur Building and Construction Worker Welfare Board has been already constituted.
Labourers registered with the board would get benefits guaranteed by the Act.
So far, 300 labourers have been registered at the board.
Any labourer who wishes to register at the board should furnish detailed information including the number of years he has been working under registered contractors.
The Act allows labourers in the age group of 18-60 years to register themselves at the board.
One per cent of the estimated costs for construction works like building roads, drains, bridges and buildings taken up by public and private sectors would be deducted.
The amount thus deducted would be distributed to registered labourers at times of accidents or after retirement or towards meeting educational expenses of incapacitated labourers.
If a labourer happens to be woman, certain sum would be given amount during maternity .
The board is currently examining the rate of monetary assistance that may be extended to registered workers, added the source.