B’NGIR MP DEMANDS HELPLINE FOR MIGRANT WORKERS IN STATE

B’NGIR MP DEMANDS HELPLINE FOR MIGRANT WORKERS IN STATE

Monday, 08 September 2014 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

Pleads for their access to social security schemes

Balangir BJD MP Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo has demanded a grievance redressal mechanism for migrant labourers and a survey on bonded labourers in the State.

In a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik recently, Singh Deo explained plight of the migrant workers from western Odisha and the inhuman working conditions and exploitation they are subjected to at the worksites leading to extreme issues like palm chopping and other heinous crimes. He also cited the dastardly palm chopping incident in Kalahandi district on December 15 last year where two migrant workers, Nilambar Majhi and Diyalu Nial, were the victims.

To ensure safety, human rights and fundamental rights of the migrant labourers, the State should set up a redressal mechanism, Singh Deo stated in his letter.

Singh Deo suggested for a proper and accurate survey on bonded labourers. He said that each district gets around `2 lakh for survey of bonded labourers, but the authorities are not doing it.

Consequently, no records are available on the bonded labourers in Odisha, Sing Deo said.

Besides, the MP lamented that proper registration and licencing of the migrant labourers were not done. He underscored the need for proper registration of the workers so that the State can identify the migrating families and hold specific labour Sadars accountable.

The State needs to ensure that minimum wages are paid to the migrants labourers, besides the fact that they get proper access to healthcare and educational facilities at the place of employment, he said.

He also suggested that to streamline the migrant labourer issues, a helpline should be set up to receive complaints and ensure that the cases are referred to appropriate authorities such as the Director

General of Police, the District Magistrate, the SP and the Labour Commissioner. Also to monitor the migrant labour cases and ensure time bound action, a nodal officer in the rank of Joint Secretary should be appointed, he pointed out.

Moreover, the vigilance committee at the district and sub divisional level under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 should be made functional, said the Balangir MP. Rehabilitation money released for rescued bonded labourers should be given immediately.

Besides, the labourers should also be allowed to avail other social security schemes, he said.

Around180 bonded labourers of Balangir have not received their rehabilitation money due to non sanction of funds from the Government of India for non receipt of utilization certificate (UC), he said, urging that the process of submitting the UCs be expedited.