Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to roll out emergency welfare measures for construction industry workers because of the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown. In a separate letter to the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States, Sonia asked them to help the construction industry workers.
For his party, party leader Rahul Gandhi in a statement urged the citizens to take precautions and at the same time appreciated the people who are leading from front to deal with the menace of corona.
Sonia pointed out to the Prime Minister that the construction industry employed over 44 million people, and the workers should be given wage support.
Over the last week, lakhs of migrant workers in major cities across India have left for their hometowns and villages, fearing a prolonged economic downturn.
As the second largest employer in India, over 44 million construction workers are now faced with a precarious future. Many are stranded in cities and are deprived of their livelihoods due to stringent lockdown measures,” Sonia said in her letter to the Prime Minister.
Pointing out that several countries, most notably Canada, have announced wage subsidy as part of its COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, the Congress chief said, “I request you to consider advising the State Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Boards to roll out emergency welfare measures, particularly wage support, to construction workers who are in distress”.
In separate letters to the Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled States, Sonia said the construction industry that was reeling under the impact of demonetisation and
Goods and Services Tax (GST) had been hit afresh by the pandemic.
“Given that a significant part of the cess lies unutilised, the State Welfare Boards may consider providing wage support to their registered beneficiaries...Keep me informed of the progress in this matter,” she told the Chief Ministers.
Rahul appreciated the people involved in tackling the situation and urged the citizens to follow the self isolation rules.
He cited examples of countries like Korea, Singapore and Taiwan that have been able to contain the spread of dangerous COVID 19 Virus.
Amid scarcity of equipment for India’s corona warriors, Rahul said that he is sad about the state of affairs as crucial time for preparedness has been missed. Congress has sought the resignation of Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal accusing him of allowing exports when the country itself required.