The state has plans to establish a ‘Maharashtra State Social Security Board’ and provide identity cards to all labourers in unorganised sector
Mumbai : The State government would undertake a mega mission to register labourers in the unorganised sector across the state from August 9 and is serious in identifying farm labourers as labourers in the unorganised sector, labour minister Prakash Mehta informed the house while replying to a calling attention notice over the issue.
“The government has decided to undertake a special mission to register all these labourers in the unorganised sector. The six months long mission would begin on August 9 and we shall use the ‘MahaOnline’ portal to register all these labourers,” Mehta assured the house.
Congress members Vijay Vadettiwar and others had given a calling attention notice over the issue saying that according to various estimates there are over 55 lakh labourers in unorganised sector in the state. But, only about 2 lakh of them have been registered with the government. This has led to stacking of funds to the tune of over Rs 30,000 crore meant for these workers, the opposition members alleged and asked the government to ensure registration of labourers in non organised sector including the construction workers.
While replying to the debate over the issue, labour minister pointed out that the state has set up a corporation to look after the welfare of construction workers and has been providing benefits to over 3.69 lakh labourers. The minister also said that the state has received Rs 3,065 crore through the cess on construction of which Rs 182 crore have been spent on various welfare schemes for labourers.
The proposal to form a ‘power-loom workers’ corporation’ is under consideration of the cabinet and a decision over the issue is expected soon, the minister said.
The state has a policy wherein everybody who has worked for a minimum of 90 days in a year can be registered as labourers. The state has plans to establish a ‘Maharashtra State Social Security Board’ and provide identity cards to all labourers in unorganised sector, Mehta said.
The government also said that farm labourers too would be registered under this scheme and would be provided with the benefits under the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008 of the central government.
