KATHUA, FEBRUARY 11: Labour Department Kathua today organised an awareness programme for unorganised and construction workers to sensitise them to the New Labour Codes and the Welfare and Social Security Schemes of the department.
Deputy Commissioner, Rajesh Sharma, who was the chief guest, presided over the programme.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for maximum awareness and wider coverage of the unorganised labour under different welfare initiatives of the Government. He urged workers to register themselves on the e-Shram portal and with the Building Workers Welfare Board to avail financial assistance for education, disability, accidental death and other social security benefits. “By contributing a nominal amount every month under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana, workers can secure pension support and financial stability for themselves and their families,” he informed. Observing that the penetration of such schemes in Kathua has remained limited, he emphasised the need to reach every eligible beneficiary through sustained awareness drives and person-to-person mobilization.
The Deputy Commissioner reiterated that saturation of social security schemes remains a priority and directed the concerned officers to intensify registration campaigns across the district.
The programme was conducted under the supervision of Assistant Labour Commissioner, Piyusha Khajuria.
She highlighted that the objective of the event was to educate workers about their rights, registration procedures and the benefits available to them under different welfare schemes. She also elaborated on the salient features of the Labour Codes, stating that the reforms aim to expand social security coverage and improve access to benefits for workers in the unorganised sector.
The workers were informed about the provisions of the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Scheme, including financial assistance, medical aid, educational support for children, marriage assistance and other welfare measures.
A nukkad natak was presented to emphasise the importance of registration and to spread awareness about the benefits available under different schemes.
Labour Inspector Kathua spoke on the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan Yojana, explaining the eligibility criteria, contribution pattern and assured pension after the age of 60 years and encouraged workers to enroll for securing their future.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner handed over cheques amounting Rs. 75,18,500 as education assistance to children of more than 1200 workers registered with the Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.