Karnataka - Bangalore   

Bachche Gowda for enhancing wages under NREGS

— Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Raising hopes: Minister for Labour B.N. Bachche Gowda (right) being greeted by V.J.K. Nair, president, CITU during the national convention in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Bangalore: Labour Minister B.N. Bachche Gowda said that he is in favour of raising wages under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) from Rs. 82 to at least Rs. 150.

Speaking at a national convention organised by the National Centre for Labour (NCL), he said that the Government was contemplating revising minimum wages fixed in the State for unorganised workers in all sectors.

Mr. Gowda said that of the total of 12 lakh construction workers in Karnataka, only 55,000 were registered with the Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board, though the board had accumulated funds of Rs. 160 crore in two years through cess collection from builders. He emphasised the need to spread awareness among workers on the benefits of enrolling in the welfare board. The Unorganised Sector Workers’ Social Security Bill, 2008, which had been passed by the Central Cabinet earlier this month, would broaden the net welfare benefits, he added.

Mr. Gowda said the State had about 2.35 crore unorganised workers and 18 lakh organised workers.

Increasing contractualisation of work in all fields was a source of worry, he added.

Responding to the Minister’s apprehensions about contractualisation of work, V.J.K. Nair, president of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said that the Karnataka State Contract Labour Advisory Board had not met in three years.

He said that a minimum wage of Rs. 5,900 a month was required to meet the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing.

Ruth Manorama, social activist, argued for providing housing for unorganised workers living in slums, by giving them title deeds.

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