Kerala - Kochi   

Minister lauds State’s Act for construction workers

KOCHI: The construction workers’ welfare Act in the State should be a model for the country to protect the rights of workers in the construction sector and in the unorganised sector as a whole, Union Minister of State for Labour Oscar Fernandes has said.

He was inaugurating the State general council meeting of the Building and Road Workers’ Federation here on Sunday.

Mr. Fernandes said a Bill to ensure the social welfare of workers in the unorganised sector would be introduced in the Lok Sabha.

He said other States in the country would be advised to follow Kerala’s example.

Mr. Fernandes said the country was witnessing a big boom in the construction industry and the lot of the workers in the sector should improve in tandem.

The Union government is contemplating a health insurance scheme for families that are below the poverty line. Up to five members of a family will come under the insurance cover. Similarly, a health insurance scheme is being planned for workers in the unorganised sector.

A.C. Jose, president of the federation, presided over the inauguration. Mr. Jose said the construction workers should be proud of their work. He called on them to find strength from the unity of the federation and to work to bring more members into the fold.

K. Babu, MLA; District Congress Committee president V.J. Paulose; United Democratic Front district chairman K.P. Dhanapalan; and INTUC president R. Chandrashekharan were present at the inauguration.

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