Bolangir MP demands setting up of redressal mechanism for migrant labourers, Survey of Bonded labourers and immediate release of their financial assistance.

By

Sudhir Mishra/Bolangir

27^th August2014

Bolangir MP demands setting up of redressal mechanism for migrant labourers, Survey of Bonded labourers  and immediate release of their financial assistance.

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Bolangir ; BJD Member of Parliament from Bolangir Kalikesh Narayan Singhdeo has demanded setting up grievance redressal mechanism for migrant labourers of Odisha, for their safety and protection of  rights ,besides  survey of Bonded labourers in Odisha.

In a letter written to Chief Minister of Odisha Sri Naveen Pattnaik on 26thAugust, Sri Singhdeo drawing the attention of Chief Minister to the incident of labour migration from Western Odisha and the inhuman working condition and exploitation at worksite which even leading to extreme incident like palm chopping incident of NilambarMajhi andDiyalu Nial of Kalhandi whose palms were cut off on 15thDecember2013

To ensure the safety, Human Rights, and basic Fundamental Rights of the migrants labourer,the State should  devise redressal mechanism ,points out sri Singhdeo in his letter.

To ensure the “Rights of  migrants labour protected and sufficient redressal mechanism is put in place in the State  for their grievance and subsequent action ,sri Singhdeo has suggested implementation of seven  points namely1)Better survey of Bonded Labourer in the district. Each  district has got around rupees two Lakhs for survey of Bonded Labour .But no records are available of Bonded labour survey being done in Odisha alleges the letter. If any such survey has been taken andrecords available it should be provided to him ,MP demands further.

Moreover proper registration and licensing of migrant labour  is to done so that the state can identify the migrating families and hold specific labour Sadar accountable, Singhdeo says further

The State needs to ensure minimum wages are to paid to migrants labourers, besides providing access to healthcare  and educational facilities at the place of employment.

And to streamline the migrant labour issue  a Helpline  to be set up  to receive complaints and ensure that the migrant labour  cases are referred to appropriate authorities such as Director General of police, ,District Magistrate /SPand labour Commissioner. And to monitor the migrant labour cases and ensure time bound action a nodal officer at the rank of Joint Secretary should be appointed by Government of Odisha ,points out Sri Singhdeo in his letter

 

 Moreover the vigilance committee at district and sub divisional level under Bonded Labour Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 should be functional.Rehabilitations money released for rescued Bonded labourers who are residing in Bolangir as per the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 shouldbe given immediately andthey should be access to various govt schemes,Singhdeo says further

Around180 Bonded labourers of Bolangir have not received their rehabilitation money due to non sanction of funds from Government of India. As the government of India has not received the utilisation certificate it has released further money, points out the letter.Hence Government should expedite the process of submitting UC and release of bonded labour assistance money.Moreover the government should set up a helpline at district level to migrant labour case and he is ready to extend support from MP lad fund, points out the letter

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