A two-day leadership development training programme on women working in forest sector organised by INBCWF, OFMFPWU and OKKS began here on Sunday.
Inaugurating the programme, former MP, national vice president and State president, INTUC Dr RC Khuntia spoke about women empowerment, social security and how to provide women a continuous job every year.
Chief speaker former Finance Minister and veteran trade union leader Panchanan Kanungo highlighted the problems of working women in unorganised sector.
Coordinator of the programme general secretary, INTUC, Kishore Jena emphasized the problems of forest workers, MSP and drew the notice of Government to formulate a Social Welfare Board for forest workers. He also emphasized on providing job to forest workers in NREGA work in forest area and afforestation work.
Madan Mohan Dhal explained the aim and action plan for forest workers of the State. He emphasized on extending different schemes adopted by the Government of Odisha and India, particularly PM Swasta Yojana and Biju Swasta Yojana and also to adopt a forest certification scheme in India which will automatically cover the social welfare and health and safety of forest workers.
He demanded rollback of GST adopted on Kendu leafs and Bidi.