— Photo: T. Singaravelou

WORKERS' RALLY: National president of INTUC G. Sanjeeva Reddy (centre) and Pondicherry PCC leader P. Shanmugham (right) lead a rally of INTUC volunteers in Pondicherry on Saturday.

Pondicherry: Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)'s national committee president G. Sanjeeva Reddy expressed concern over "neglect of labour laws by both the Central and State Governments" and stated that failure to implement the laws would give rise to acute poverty among the working class.

Addressing delegates and also State-level presidents of the INTUC at the 235th meeting of its working committee here on Saturday, Mr Reddy said while it was essential to invite new investment for economic growth, care should be taken that such investments did not create poverty, as there should be permanent creation of jobs for the working class.

Mr. Reddy minced no words to say that Governments ignored labour laws just to please new investors. He said while inviting entrepreneurs to make investment in industrial sector, the Governments should ensure that they promoted labour welfare.

Pondy Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who inaugurated the meeting, said workers should always raise fair and just demands.

He said both industries and workers should contribute to the congenial industrial relations for overall economic growth and welfare of the workers. Cordial understanding between the managements and workers was an absolutely necessity.

Mr. Rangasamy said Pondicherry had established a good record of peaceful atmosphere as could be seen from the trend of industrial development here over the years. He thanked Mr. Sanjeeva Reddy for selecting Pondicherry to hold its two-day working committee meeting. Health and Labour Minister E. Valsaraj said Pondicherry Administration left no stone unturned to promote industrial relations and also to create conducive atmosphere for development of labour welfare measures.

He highlighted the steps taken to promote well-being of the construction workers, unorganised labourers and also institution of special awards and incentives for industries for safety and effective implementation of workers' welfare schemes.

Medical team

The Government had also set up a medical team for inspection and certification of the health profile of industrial workers. Pondicherry PCC president P. Shanmugham said that it was indeed historic that the INTUC was holding its national working committing in Pondicherry where there was proactive Government. The president of Pondicherry unit of the INTUC, G. Ravichandran, while welcoming those present, said that Pondicherry offered good scope for promotion workers's welfare measures.

Mr. Rangasamy-led Government here was enthusiastic about relieving workers of their grievances through practical approach.

He highlighted the steps taken to promote industrialisation here.

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