Labour Peaceful - Adamant Excise

When the LDF Government assumed power, the State Economy in general and Labour sector in particular were in total disarray. Earnest efforts were taken to overcome the situation. Most of the programmes implemented in the Department are aimed at the welfare of the working class, especially those from the traditional sector.

Labour

Kerala is widely accepted as a labour-friendly State. Redressal of the genuine grievances of labourers is most essential for ensuring a decent livelihood to them, social harmony, industrial prosperity and growth of the economy. There is genuine concern and commitment from the part of this Government to protect the interests of labour class and promotion of their welfare. The view that labourers in Kerala are an irritant factor posing a constraint on investment is totally baseless. The above propaganda has been unleashed by certain interested quarters who want to push back our State in the matter of industrial progress and thereby isolate the working people.

Our aim is quality production, maximum production and better productivity. We always stand for the protection of the legitimate rights of the working class.

The labour Department is the statutory agency to bring about and keep up harmonious relation in industrial establishments. Effective enforcement of labour laws and labour welfare schemes is the prerequisite for the maintenance of harmonious relations and creation of an intact atmosphere for sustained developments and investments.

The Labour Commissionerate provides the required support to the State Government in solving the variety of problems confronted by the workforce of the State.

The Industrial Relation Committees (IRCs) functioning in the State as Joint Consultative bodies have been considered as an outstanding contribution of Kerala to the country. During the LDF regime the minimum wages of workers of several unorganised/organised sectors are ensured either through Minimum Wages Committees or by Gazette Notifications as advised by Minimum Wages Advisory Committees. The State Government is taking all efforts for the welfare of the migrant workers and steps are taken to enforce the provisions of the Inter State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979.

There are instances of Child Labour in the State. Child labour in the State is mainly an offshoot of migrant labour. Effective steps are being taken to stop this evil practice.

The Department of Factories & Boilers is the Statutory Authority to ensure safety, health and welfare of factory workers and the general public living in the vicinity of factories by implementing relevant laws.

The Kerala Institute of Labour and Employment (KILE), an autonomous body constituted by the State Government, is performing with a prominent role in conducting training programmes, workshops and seminars on labour related subjects, training to the departmental officers and other stakeholders of industry.

The Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants Ltd. (ODEPC) is the only recruiting agency in the Government sector deploys Indian manpower to foreign countries. It is also doing well in the field of travel agency.

The various labour welfare pensions were in huge arrears when the present Government assumed power. Steps were taken to clear the arrears. As a first step, twelve months’ pension in lump was disbursed to the beneficiaries under various schemes. It is the firm resolve of the Government to clear the arrears of welfare pensions and also to enhance the same. In this year’s budget speech, it was declared that the monthly amount of welfare pension will be enhanced to Rs.200. Our objective is to be bring all sections of workers under one or other welfare scheme.

Plantation sector

Kerala is one of the very few States in the country where practically almost all types of plantation crops are grown. At the time of assumption of office by the LDF Ministry the sector was in deep crisis. The worst affected were tea plantations. 22 tea estates including 17 major plantations were closed and thousands of labourers were rendered jobless leading to major social and economic problems. Our Government lost no time in initiating discussions with the trade unions as well as the owners of the estates with a view to re-open the estates and factories. Several concessions were given by the State Government by way of waiving of minimum demand charges, on electricity, plantation taxes, Agricultural income tax etc. Welfare activities were also undertaken to assist the starving workers. Relief measures were undertaken through the Plantation Workers Relief Committees. Financial assistance to the tune of Rs. one crore has been given for the repair of the layams of workers. Rs. 2.98 crores was allotted for providing drinking water and electrification to the plantation workers in Peerumede Taluk. A revival package has been prepared and submitted to the Government of India and exerted pressure on them to intervene in the crisis. As a result of the efforts made so far by the State Government and Government of India, 10 major tea gardens were re-opened. The Central Government has also approved a scheme for the re plantations and rejuvenation of the tea gardens. “As part of these Rs. 3.44 Lakh per hectare was sanctioned for the replanting of the tea gardens. Steps have been initiated by Government of India to take over the remaining closed tea gardens by invoking section 16 (E) of the tea act for which also we had our own contribution.

Cashew

Cashew Industry is one of the traditional industries in the State, which provides employment to more than three lakhs workers. In order to revive the industry several measures have been adopted by the Government. The minimum wages of the cashew workers were revised with effect from January 2007.

For the promotion of the Cashew Industry, Cashew Special Office was established with headquarters at Kollam. One of the major problems facing the industry is shortage of raw cashew nuts. Over the years the production of raw cashew nuts has come down considerably. In order to overcome the situation Government have constituted an agency namely Kerala State Agency for Cashew Cultivation (KSACC) for expanding the area of cashew cultivation. Government have sanctioned Rs.50 lakhs to the agency and it has taken a concerted effort to undertake cashew cultivation. The KSACC have already signed a MoD with the Kerala Farming Corporation for joint cultivation of cashew in 229 ha. of land owned by the Corporation.

In this connection it is worth mentioning that in the State budget for 2008 - 09 Rs. one crore has been earmarked for promoting cashew cultivation. There is also an assurance on the part of the Central Government to sanction adequate amount for the expansion of the Cashew cultivation.

ESI

ESI is the largest social security Scheme of the country. Due to the pressure of the LDF Government the Central Government and ESI Corporation have taken steps to implement the ESI Scheme most effectively in the State. This Government has taken steps to include additional 1.25 lakhs of beneficiaries under the purview of the Scheme.

Another important achievement of the Government is the decision taken to extend ESI scheme to the employees of medical institutions and teaching and non-teaching staffs of the unaided schools and institutions.

With the help of the ESI Corporation we have already formulated a plan to construct buildings to the ESI dispensaries, which are now functioning in rented buildings.

We have already approached the Central Government and the ESI Corporation with a request to establish a medical college at Parippally in Kollam district. The response is very encouraging. If materialised, the same, will be the first ESI Medical College in the country. .

Industrial Training Department

With the advancement of technology the requirement of skilled workers increased. But majority of our job seekers lack skill training. la addition to the five ITIs which were upgraded during the tenure of the previous Government, LDF Government upgraded nine ITIs in the State as Centres of Excellence. A decision was also taken to upgrade seven other ITIs into first grade ITIs.

For several years no new ITIs have been started in the State. Now we have received representation for starting 47 new ITIs where land, building and furniture are made available by the local bodies. New ITIs will be established in as much places as possible.

Excise

The Government is fully committed to eradicating illicit distillation, transportation, possession and sale of illicit liquor, non-duty paid IMFL and preventing its smuggling from other States. Adequate measures have been taken to prevent such illegal activities. Government is fully aware of the novel methods of operation of the liquor mafia and the department has been fully equipped to meet the challenges posed by them. The Government would further strengthen the enforcement wing by employing additional work force and -providing new vehicles and equipments like pistols, mobile phones, wireless sets etc in a phased manner. Computerisation of the various Excise Offices is already underway. Government proposes to amend the Abkari Act and Rules so as to cope up with the requirements of the present day. An expert Committee has already been constituted under the chairmanship of former Excise Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary J. Lalithambika, to study and suggest the amendments required in the Abkari Act and Rules and also to suggest measures to contain the menace of spurious liquor. A Technical Committee has also been constituted to study and report the chemical composition of Toddy so as to facilitate the detection of artificial toddy.

Government reiterates its commitment to pursue its efforts even more vigorously to educate the poor and economically weaker sections about the harmful effects of liquor. In this regard, the Government would harness the co-operation of political parties, trade union organisations, Kudumbasree, voluntary organisations etc.

It gives me great satisfaction to note that the efforts of the Labour and Excise departments during the last two years in solving the variety of issues confronting the workers especially those in the Cashew and Plantation sectors have yielded positive results. I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have extended cooperation and support to the Government in their endeavour.