Kolkata, Dec 1 (IANS) In a bid to draw more unorganised and organised sector workers into the government’s social security network ahead of next assembly polls, the West Bengal government Saturday launched the Social Security Fortnight to raise awareness about the schemes.
The social security network, formulated by the state labour department and implemented by the State Welfare Board, includes a variety of schemes for workers under various sectors.
Inaugurating the event, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee called for involving more workers under schemes like the provident fund.
‘The provident fund scheme is our principal scheme and we need to implement it effectively. Currently there are around 20 lakh beneficiaries under the scheme and we need to increase this base to a large extent,’ Bhattacharjee said.
Pension, educational facilities for skill development, accident benefit and several other social security schemes are in force for for construction workers and those in the private transport sector.
He said financial assistance worth Rs.1,500 per month was being provided to workers of closed factories.
Bhattacharjee expressed concern over the miserable economic condition of bidi workers and felt the number of beneficiaries of the welfare schemes need to be raised.
‘A large number of bidi workers in various areas of Murshidabad, Purulia and Bankura are living in a poor condition. We have identified the areas and are trying to ensure effective implementation of the schemes. Around 42,000 such workers have already benefited. We need to work hard to boost the number,’ said Bhattacharjee.
The chief minister said that in order to eradicate the menace of child labour, proper education to avail better job opportunities should be provided.
‘Considering their economic condition it is not feasible to take away employment from child labourers. NGOs and others want to rob child labourers of jobs. But do they take up jobs for pleasure? Their families’ economic condition forces them to take up jobs.
‘They need to be provided with education so that they may avail better job opportunities. For this purpose we have set up residential schools for them,’ said Bhattacharjee.
