Govt urged to set up labour market: Bheigyachandra
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 27 2022: Sunday Market Street Vendors' Welfare Association celebrated its 12th foundation day at Manipur Press Club, here, on Tuesday.

The celebration was attended by Office of Labour Commissioner labour inspector M Bheigyachandra as chief guest and Sunday Market Street Vendors' Welfare Association president Soibam Maniton as president while Khwairamband Nupi Keithel Sinpham Amadi Saktam Kanba Lup president and Sunday Market advisor Ksh Shanti Leima was present as guest of honour.

In his speech, M Bheigyachandra lauded the initiative taken up by the organisation for instilling work culture among the people of the state, keeping long term prospects in mind.

He then said that most of the products used daily are the gifts of labourers and all development steps taken up are contributions of labourers.

Thus, we should respect one another and avoid discriminating on the basis of jobs we do, he advised.

Suggesting to the Association to formulate some kind of policy to collaborate with local clubs and Nagar Panchayats of other districts for setting up market at suitable location so as to earn additional income on other days of the week; the labour inspector said that the status of labourers is high in the sense that they have their own place in the absence of a government - established labour market such as at Samu Makhong, Singjamei, Palace Compound and Chingmeirong.

Nonetheless, a proposal has been made to the government for setting up a market, he conveyed, while expressing belief that the presence of the market will ensure further protection of labour rights.

Observing that the people of Manipur have a low work drive; Bheigyachan-dra said that businesses outside the state have been taking an advantage in this regard.

As such, the implementation of e-Shram programme is key not only for identification of unorganised workers, particularly those earning less than Rs 15,000 a month, but also in providing them with Aadhaar number, as is the rule.

Thus, the implementation agency for this will be the DC and the nodal department would be the Labour department.

However, the delay in the registration process is further delaying its effective implementation, he stated.

Meanwhile, Sunday Market Street Vendors' Welfare Association president Soibam Maniton said that as the Act East Policy is in effect, more products will be brought in from Thailand and China.

Thus, he urged for formulation of a policy for opening market on other days of the week, thereby helping Manipur to become self-sustainable.

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