People's Voice - July 16-31, 2008

Unorganized Sector Workers staged a protest demonstration on July 7, in Chennai against Government's moves to re-involve Revenue Department in the implementation of Labour Welfare Board's functions.

The Tamilnadu Government has convened an Advisory Committee constituted under Tamilnadu Manual Workers Act, 1982 to implement the Unorganized Sector Workers' Labour Welfare functions through Village Administrative Officers under Revenue Department. Trade Unions who have been organizing the Unorganized Sector Workers across religious, caste and political affiliations, have strongly condemned this move without any consultation with trade unions, Welfare Boards and Advisory Committee.

After many protests by Unorganized Sector Workers, trade unions and political parties throughout Tamilnadu since March 3rd, cases in high court, walk out by four central trade unions in Advisory Committee meeting, walk out by CPI (M) members of legislative assembly during Labour budget sessions in Tamilnadu Assembly, the Chief Minister's announcement to continue implementation of Labour Welfare Board functions under Labour Department has been an empty promise.

After several years of struggle, the Tamilnadu construction Workers Welfare Board was formed in 1995. The Unorganized workers in various sectors had raised their voice and a Manual Workers Welfare Board was formed in 2000 and 16 Sectoral boards in 2006.

By delegating the functions to Revenue Department, the objective of the government would be to delay the registration and benefits availing and thus effectively kill the scheme and suppress the voice of Unorganised Workers, and Trade Unions.

Just as in Construction, trade unions have been demanding that a levy be collected to fund the Labour Welfare Board functions. However the State Government has been ignoring this demand. Without adequate funds, the State Government has been sporadically allocating funds and these half hearted attempts need to be regulated. Regulation of employment and wages for unorganized sector workers through collection of levy and allocation of 3% budget, work place security, ESI, PF and death and accident benefits, maternity assistance, education assistance, housing assistance are inviolable rights of all workers in the sector. The government's position that the reason for transfer to revenue department is the prevention of the same worker enjoying the same benefits through different boards is not acceptable.

Proper infrastructure, computerization, Taluk level offices with enough officials for Labour Welfare Boards will be the only way to register the workers, and provide benefits within one month of application and disbursement of funeral assistance with in two days of death for a worker's family.

The State Government should give up the handing over of Labour Welfare Board functions to Revenue Department and with draw the regressive GO MS 23 and give up implementation of the GO through stealthy means.
3% of budgetary allocation and Levy on all forms of production and distribution, along with a small contribution from the workers, District/ Taluk wise offices, staffing, registration, renewals claims, and disbursement of benefits within one month of application should be implemented.
The Advisory Committee and the Unorganised Workers Welfare Boards under the Tamilnadu Manual Workers Act should have 50% representation from workers. The Advisory Committee and the Welfare Boards should have representation for independent (non party) honest Trade Unions, with adequate representation for women. The Welfare Boards must be headed by trade union leaders as in Kerala.
Welfare Boards for Agricultural Workers, Fish Workers, Sanitary Workers, Village artists should also be brought under the Labour Department. A Separate Department with a Minister for Unorganised Workers should be created. Provision of Family card for agricultural workers should be stopped.
Through the State Unorganised Workers Welfare Boards

(vii) rights over resources should be implemented under the Tamilnadu Manual Workers Act.