Chandigarh May 3: Haryana Government is committed to ensure that all agricultural labourers and migrant labourers of other States of India who are stranded in Haryana reach their homes in a safe and systematic manner at the earliest.
This commitment was made by Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal here today in a video conference chaired by him with office bearers of 6 different Labour Unions and President of Labour Cells of 5 different political parties.
It was decided in the meeting that agricultural labourers of border states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh will be sent to their homes in buses and those of Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh will be sent by special Shramik Trains from different stations in Haryana. Return of migrant labourers of the remaining states, being relatively lesser in numbers, shall be ensured through special trains from New Delhi
The Chief Minister urged the Unions to spread this message of Government's commitment and also the need for having patience to the labourers and their families. Otherwise, their eagerness to return can lead to their exploitation by unscrupulous elements. He said that as for the few more days some labourers would have to spend in Haryana, they must observe social distancing, try to engage in useful work or learn some new skills. The Government is committed to ensure that no person would go hungry during the Corona crisis in Haryana.
There was consensus in the meeting that as far as possible industrial labourers should be encouraged to assist in early reopening of their units. It was also decided in the meeting that District Level Committees under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner with representatives of different labour unions will be set up to review the progress of disbursement of salaries for the month of March and April to workers by industrialists, especially the small and medium industries. The Chief Minister also assured that there is no plan to cut down on the 17 per cent DA being paid to government employees. The Chief Minister assured that their will be no discrimination of Asha and Anganwadi workers in distribution of PPE kits to the members of official teams engaged in screening work in containment zones.
Among those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr Rajesh Khullar, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr V. Umashankar, Principal Secretary Labour Mr Vineet Garg and Labour Commissioner Mr Pankaj Agarwal.
The meeting was attended by President Mr Ved Saini and General Secretary Mr Hanuman Godara of Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, President Mr Amit Yadav and General Secretary Mr Dharambir Lohan of Indian National Trade Union Congress, President Mr Baldev Ghangash and General Secretary Mr Bechu Giri of All India Trade Union Congress, President Mrs Surekha and General Secretary Mr Jaibhagwan of Centre of Indian Trade Unions, President Mr S.D Tyagi and General Secretary Mr Sunder Lal of Hind Mazdoor Sabha and President Mr Rajender Singh and General Secretary Mr Hari Parkash of All India United Trade Union Centre.
Among those who attended the meeting on behalf of the Labour Cells of different political parties included President BJP Labour Cell Mr D.C Yadav, President JJP Labour Cell Mr Ramphal Fauji, President Congress Labour Cell Mr Dharambir Lohan, State Convener INLD Labour Cell Mr Balwan Singh Fauji and President of Bhawan Nirman Kamgar Union, Haryana Mr Desraj on behalf of CPM Labour Cell.