Karnataka - Bangalore   

‘Unions needed in informal sector’

Bangalore: The Union and State governments have begun to recognise that labour laws, which are largely applicable only to the organised sector, must now include the unorganised sector, which accounts for 92 per cent of India’s working population, Assistant Labour Commissioner K.L. Manjunath has said.

Speaking at a workshop on the “Rights of unorganised sector workers in Karnataka,” organised by the Indo-Global Social Service Society and a non-governmental organisation, Dani Development and Social Action, here on Saturday, Mr. Manjunath said this shift in focus was reflected in proposed legislation such as the Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Bill, 2007, which is before Parliament.

The garment sector poses peculiar problems as far as implementation is concerned, he said. “When, in theory, the industry is protected by the Factories Act, these units often do not register themselves and work under the radar of the law, denying workers their minimum wages and all forms of social security, including pension and health insurance,” Mr. Manjunath said.

Hasan Mansur, convener, People’s Union for Civil Liberties, emphasised the need for unions among the unorganised sector. He said “the sense of insecurity created among workers in this sector prevents them from uniting. Initiatives to create awareness about rights must also highlight the right to association, which is the fundamental right of every citizen.”

Shakun M., co-ordinator of Vimochana, a forum for women’s rights, said it was little wonder that women formed the largest component of the informal sector.

“Women are made to feel powerless and invisible and are isolated in their discrimination and pain. They are never allowed to collectivise,” she said.

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