State seeks SSC exemption from Centre to protect unorganised workers

SHANMUGHASUNDARAM J

CHENNAI: The state government is all set to seek exemption for the welfare boards for the unorganised workers from the proposed social security code of the Centre. The state government’s move aimed at protecting the legal rights and social security of unorganised workers, who are enrolled with various welfare boards, in the state.

After repeated pleas from the trade unions and representatives of unorganised workers forums to the state government, the authorities have decided to take firm stand against the Centre’s four labour code -Industrial relations (IRC), occupational safety and health and working conditions (OSHWC), social security (SSC) and wage code.

Claiming that the codes, which would repeal 44 state and central acts, would be a death knell to multiple welfare boards and several pro-labour laws, labour unions and activists feared that the SS code, in particular, would pose a threat to the existing 36 welfare boards in the state and would reduce the various welfare boards to meagre three – construction, unorganised and platform workers. It would exclude sectoral welfare boards for major sectors like agricultural, fisheries, plantation, domestic, leather, weaver and beedi workers.

“We have flagged the issue in multiple fora and petitioned the authorities. Now, the state government has responded positively,” said coordinator of Unorganised Workers’ Federation R Geetha.

“We have launched a housing scheme for the construction labourers using our financial resources. We want to maintain this financial autonomy and liberty to design and implement schemes to meet the needs of the members of welfare boards,” Chairman of TN Construction Workers Welfare Board Pon Kumar said.

The government would soon write to the Centre in this regard to get exemption for framing separate state rules on social security to protect the interest of the labourers.

Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu asserted this in the recently-held state level monitoring committee of e-Shram Portal. The state would make all efforts to ensure that the workers continue to enjoy the benefits extended by various welfare boards and also ensure that the rights and privilege of workers are protected at all times, the Chief Secretary said in an order.