Members of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) on Wednesday staged a rally in front of the State Assembly here demanding social security for the unorganised workers of the State.
INTUC State president and former MP Rama Chandra Khuntia presided over the meeting. “Nearly 1.5 crore unorganised workers of the State have been deprived of their privileges since long as the State Government is not implementing the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008,” Dr Khuntia alleged.
He said unorganised workers like farm labourers, forest workers, small and marginal farmers, fishermen, peddlers, small vendors and rickshaw-pullers deserve privileges like the construction labouorers are getting now.Stating that Chhattisgarh and West Bengal have implemented the Act, Dr Khuntia said, “It is condemnable that the Odisha Government is yet to implement the law. The INTUC will continue to fight till the unorganised workers get their legitimate rights,” he said.
The Congress veteran further alleged that the State Government has also betrayed the construction workers, “It is disappointing that the State Government has spent only Rs7 crore out of Rs800 crore collected for the construction workers’ welfare fund.If their dues are not paid and pending applications are not registered within 15 days, the agitation will be expedited,” he threatened.
Other demands included formation of Special Welfare Board for forest workers, regularisation of temporary electrical employees and resumption of closed mines.