The unorganised workers play a vital role in the economic development of the State. Nearly 93 per cent of the workers are in the unorganised sector. Day by day, their social security and financial strength are at risk, said the speakers at a meeting of the Anasangathit Sramik Manch, Odisha here on Saturday.
The unorganised workers’ socioeconomic conditions have not improved due to State apathy. So, they face so many problems like poor health condition, substandard working life, harassment at workplaces, inadequate and unequal wage structures, long working hours, poor housing facilities, lack of safety measures and no proper education for their children, said the speakers.
The Manch leaders demanded that the workers in the unorganised sector be provided with identity cards within six months and also be included under the Employees State Insurance scheme.
The unorganised workers should be provided training and incentives to improve their skills. Fifty per cent of the seats in the private schools should be reserved for their children.
like the construction workers, the unorganised workers should be included in the housing scheme, the Manch leaders also demanded.
The minimum wage should be hiked to Rs 600 and primary health facilities should be made available in the industrial belts, they further demanded. Former Finance Minister Panchanan Kanungo, trade union leader Souribandhu Kar and social activist Mahendra Parida took part in the deliberations. Manch president Jyotshnarani Mishra presided over the meeting.