Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of International Workers’ Day, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the continuous contributions of workers to the nation’s progress and reiterated his government’s dedication to their welfare.
Speaking at a program held at the OUAT Krishi Shiksha Sadan, Chief Minister Shri Majhi inaugurated multi-purpose ‘Labor Waiting Centers’ at Dumduma and Kalpana Square in Bhubaneswar. These centers provide temporary shelter, drinking water, toilets, and parks for workers. The Chief Minister announced plans to establish similar centers in other urban areas, including Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Keonjhar, and Berhampur, stating that these centers aim to enhance the dignity of workers.
Ganesh Ramsingh Khuntia, Minister of Labour and Employees’ State Insurance, MP Bhubaneswar, Aparajita Sarangi, MLA Babu Singh graced the occasion.
Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Principal Secretary Labour & ESI, Chithra Aramugam and Commissioner Of Labour, Indramani Tripathy were present in the meeting.
During the event, Chief Minister Shri Majhi promoted workers from various trade unions and distributed assistance under the Construction Workers Welfare Scheme. This assistance included support for education, marriage, maternity, death, and funerals.
The Chief Minister highlighted the efforts of the State Government’s Labour and Employees State Insurance Department in safeguarding the legal rights and social security of workers across organized and unorganized sectors. He announced the increase in death assistance under the Construction Workers Welfare Board, from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3 lakh for normal death, and from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 6 lakh for accidental death, fulfilling an election promise.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi reported that approximately 47 lakh construction workers are registered under the Construction Workers Welfare Scheme, with over Rs 3,951 crore disbursed in various forms of assistance. Since his government assumed power, over 4 lakh new construction workers have been registered, and Rs 370 crore has been provided as assistance. On this day, around 3,000 eligible construction workers across the state received new ID cards, and over Rs 40 crore in assistance was distributed to eligible beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister also launched the ‘Odisha Shramik Sathi’ mobile app, designed to provide workers with easy access to services from the Construction Workers Welfare Board. The app will facilitate online worker registration, renewal, and applications for assistance.
Furthermore, the government is working to register 60 categories of unorganized workers under the Odisha Unorganized Workers Social Security Board. Currently, over 4 lakh unorganized workers are registered, and more than Rs 23 crore has been provided in assistance. The Chief Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to registering all eligible unorganized workers and providing them with social security coverage.
The minimum wage for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, and highly skilled workers in the state has been revised, with an average increase of Rs. 100 per day within the past year. The Chief Minister also announced an increase in the variable dearness allowance by Rs. 10 per day, effective retroactively from April 1st.
Chief Minister Shri Majhi stated that a task force, led by the Deputy Chief Minister, has been formed to address the needs of migrant workers, and a special State Action Plan has been developed for Odia migrant workers.
The state government is also promoting the establishment of new industries and implementing business simplification measures, including online services such as registration and licensing through the Labour Department’s ‘Parisham Portal’.
Chief Minister Majhi described his government as a “people’s government” and a “sensitive government for the poor.” He announced the upcoming ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana’, under which the government will provide assistance for brides and take responsibility for their marriages. He also assured the public that the government is responsive to their concerns and is taking steps for their swift resolution.
Ganesh Ramsingh Khuntia, Minister of Labour and Employees’ State Insurance, Forest, Environment and Climate Change, acknowledged the vital role of workers in the state’s development.
Commissioner of Labour, Indramani Tripathy co-ordinated the entire program, which was conducted in an effective manner and lauded by the Labour Community.