PUNE: Following two incidents of wall collapse, the registration of construction workers has gathered speed. 13,000 labourers have been registered in Pune city, said Sanjay Bhegade, Minister of State for Labour Welfare in Pune on Monday.
He was interacting with reporters on ‘Disaster management and labour rights’ at a meet the press programme organised by Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ). Bhegade recently took charge as Minister of State for Labour Welfare during the first Cabinet expansion held last month. Along with Disaster Management, Bhegade also holds charge of Environment, Relief and Rehabilitation and Earthquake Rehabilitation.
He said, “The Labour Welfare Board has around Rs 7,000 crore in its coffers. The Labour Department aims to improve the working life of construction workers. It will use the money to provide healthcare services, insurance cover and other facilities to the workers. To provide safety kits to labourers is one of the initiatives of the Labour Department. The State Government is spending Rs 12,000 per kit. Over 16 lakh workers are registered in the State.”
Bhegade said, “The inquiry committee has already been constituted for the mishaps in Kondhwa and Ambegaon. They will submit their reports within eight days. Once we get the report, action will be taken on those responsible for the accident.”
SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS
He added, “The Ministry has taken cognisance of the allegations made by the international firms operating in the industrial belts of the district about the working conditions. The firms have approached the district collectorate claiming that they are facing security issues,” he added.
MEETING OF STAKEHOLDERS SOUGHT
Unions Action Committee (Kamgar Sanghatana Samyukta Kriti Samiti) met Sanjay Bhegade, Minister of State for Labour Welfare on Monday in Pune and highlighted that the issue of German companies in Pune are considering withdrawing their investments from India and shift their manufacturing units to Shanghai because of the trouble faced by them. The committee demanded a meeting of all stakeholders which involves representatives of company management, representatives of labour unions and the additional labour commissioner. This would serve as a platform to address all concerns and complaints.
