Government Positive to Address Workers’ Demands – DCM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai : The government is committed to addressing various issues faced by workers in the state. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized that the government is working to meet their demands during a meeting organized at the Sahyadri Guest House in response to a statement from the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh.

Currently, pensions are provided to retired workers across various industries in the state. The Deputy Chief Minister suggested increasing these pensions and instructed the labor department to prepare a proposal for this purpose.

Labor Minister Suresh Khade participated in the meeting via video communication. Present were MLA Chandrasekhar Bawankule, Additional Chief Secretary (Planning) Rajagopal Deora, Principal Secretary of the Labor Department Vinita Ved Singhal, Principal Secretary of the Urban Development Department Asim Kumar Gupta, Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Dr. Anup Kumar Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister’s Secretary Dr. Shrikar Pardeshi, Secretary of the Tribal Development Department Vijay Waghmare, Transport Commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar, Medical Education Commissioner Rajeev Niwatkar, and others.

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis noted that if implementation is delayed, the labor department should celebrate the birth anniversary on September 17 in their subordinate offices. He highlighted the creation of virtual circles for unorganized workers and recommended preparing a board-wise plan and verifying the funds required for these schemes. Noting that a certain amount is deducted from workers’ wages for ESI (Employee State Insurance Scheme), he stressed the need for quality medical facilities for workers. He also announced the approval of 15 new labor hospitals in the state.

The meeting also discussed various issues, including transferring all matters under the Labor Act to the Labor Department, extending the registration period for domestic workers until September, providing benefits to workers who are 55 years or older, awarding honor funds to workers over 55, ensuring minimum wages for laborers, accepting the uniform of private security guards, and reducing fines for hawkers. The Deputy Chief Minister also considered granting the 6th Pay Commission difference to seasonal spraying workers, benefits to women employees of Loksanchalit Sadhan Kendra working under MAVIM, and minimum wages to appointed secretaries of organizations.

Officials from the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh were present at the meeting.