Labor Minister Lakhanlal Devangan addressed the press conference.
Raipur. Regarding the activities and achievements of the Labour Department, Labour Minister Lakhanlal Dewangan informed in a press conference today that the divisions under the department have registered 11.40 lakh workers in the last two years, which includes approximately 9.4 lakh construction workers, 1.39 lakh unorganized workers, and 98 thousand organized workers.
In the last two years, 29,55,254 workers have been benefited with an amount of Rs. 804.77 crore under a total of 71 schemes operated by the divisions under the department. Of these, 28,49,167 construction workers have been benefited with approximately Rs. 653.75 crore, 91,595 unorganized workers with approximately Rs. 143.77 crore, and 14,592 organized workers with Rs. 7.24 crore. The department is transferring the benefits payable to the workers directly into their accounts through centralized DBT. The Minister informed that factories are being inspected through an automated system under the Ease of Doing Business system. In the past two years, a total of 2,218 inspections have been conducted under the Factories Act. 666 prosecutions have been filed against factory managements in the Honorable Labor Court for violations, and a total fine of over ₹5 crore has been collected.
He informed that the number of insured workers under the Employees’ State Insurance Act has increased from 460,000 to 626,000 in the past two years. 100-bed hospitals operate in Raipur, Korba, Raigarh, and Bhilai, and proceedings are underway to open a hospital in Bilaspur soon. Similarly, 43 dispensaries operate in the state, and the opening of four new dispensaries is underway. Minister Dewangan stated that the department has implemented all 17 reforms recommended by the Government of India and prescribed under the Business Reforms Act in the interest of the state’s workers and employers. To provide exemptions to small businesses, the Chhattisgarh Shops and Establishments Act, 2017, read with the Rules, 2021, has been implemented on establishments employing 10 or more workers.
He stated that a new category of employees, “Fixed Term Employment Workers,” has been established, who will receive the same salary, allowances, and other benefits as regular employees. In light of women’s empowerment, women workers have been granted the right to be employed on night shifts conditionally. The factory license period has been increased from 10 to 15 years. The Minister informed that the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Government of India, has implemented four new labor codes to replace 29 old labor laws, under which the process of formulating four new rules is underway in the state. As a result of the new codes, workers’ interests will be better protected. Benefits will be ensured, including an appointment letter for every worker, the right of women workers to work in all types of employment, improved minimum wages for workers, annual health checkups by employers, and the establishment of a “National Social Security Board” for the welfare and social security of gig and platform workers.
Regarding the department’s upcoming action plan, the Labor Minister informed that a bill has been passed in the State Assembly to apply the Chhattisgarh Shops and Establishments Act to shops and establishments employing 20 or more workers and has been sent for the Honorable President’s approval. Under the Employees’ State Insurance Services, the Raigarh, Kumhari, and Birgaon dispensaries will be upgraded and developed into model dispensaries. Dewangan informed that a separate scheme will be launched for health checkups of registered construction workers. A new scheme, the “Atal Career Building Scheme,” will be launched to provide coaching for competitive exams for higher education to the children of registered construction workers. The Shaheed Veernarayan Singh Shramik Anna Yojana will be expanded by establishing Shramik Anna Kendras in all districts. For the purpose of strengthening the grievance redressal and public awareness system, messaging facility, mobile number verification, AI facility to agents will be started, so that the workers can get the updated status of the resolution of complaints through the departmental portal sitting at home. Finally, Minister Shri Devangan thanked all the media personnel.
