The Hindu : Kerala News : Comprehensive welfare scheme for motor workers soon

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Sunday, Mar 06, 2005

Kerala

Kerala

Comprehensive welfare scheme for motor workers soon

By Our Staff Reporter

KANNUR, MARCH 5. The Minister for Labour, Babu Divakaran, has said that the Government is considering amendment of the existing rules to ensure coverage of all motor vehicle workers under the Kerala State Motor Workers Welfare Fund Board scheme.

Inaugurating the State-level distribution of benefits to motor workers under the scheme here today, the Minister said the proposal for levying contribution of commercial vehicle owners to the fund at the time of tax payment or registration was under consideration. Though it had been 18 years since the Board was constituted, only around 50,000 motor vehicle workers had got the membership, he said. Stating that more motor workers had to be brought under the welfare scheme, Mr. Divakaran said that presently most of those who had been covered under the scheme were private bus workers and autorikshaw drivers. It was estimated that the commercial motor vehicle sector in the State had over eight lakh workers.

Workers unions representing motor workers were only concerned about the workers' gratuity, he said adding that they would also focus on the workers' welfare.

As many as 45 lakh workers in the State were now enjoying the welfare benefits of 18 welfare funds instituted by the Government, the Minister said.

The Board would institute a gold medal from this year for SSLC top-scorer among children of motor workers, he said.

The Minister distributed scholarships to children of motor workers. K. Sudhakaran, MLA, presided over the function.

The Board chairman, P. Mohanan Pillai, K.P. Sahadevan (CITU) and K. Surendran (INTUC), were also present.

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