Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: Minister for Planning, Development, Labour and Employment, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, today called for reducing the pendency of dispute cases between workers and employers, saying settlement should be ensured within a stipulated time frame.
Reviewing the functioning of Labour and Employment Departments at a high level meeting here this morning, the Minister cautioned against unnecessary delay, having potential of jeopardizing the interests of the work force.
He said that a stipulated time frame of six months should be adhered to while settling the disputes and the field officers should keep the supervisory and administrative heads abreast with the status of cases on regular basis.
The Minister referred to various provisions of labour laws and said these are aimed at redressing the grievances of the workers and ensuring congenial atmosphere at the work places. Therefore, he said, it is incumbent upon the officers and the field agencies to generate awareness among the workers about their rights, mechanism of seeking redressal to their problems and various other welfare measures.
Mr Sadhotra exhorted upon the officers to rededicate themselves for the welfare and betterment of the work force and ensure their socio-economic upliftment. He specifically mentioned tendencies among employers for going forced settlement of various claims and urged the officers to see that such type of exploitation is eschewed at all the levels. He said the endeavour of the Government should be to have the cases resolved within available forums rather than compelling the workers to go to the courts.
Mr Sadhotra took strong exception to non-payment of bonus by employers and said that necessary action, as per norms, should be taken against the violators. Wherever necessary, the violators and offenders should be booked under the relevant proviso of laws, he said.
He also emphasized the need for simplifying and streamlining the procedure for issuance of disability certificates to the victims so that benefits under rules accrue to them in a time bound manner.
The Minister called upon the field agencies for carrying out a survey with regard to the workers for having authentic data on local and non-local workers working in various establishments and industries across the State. This, he said, will enable the department to carry out effective welfare measures for the workers. He also sought effective implementation of various welfare programmes devised by the Government for the uplift of work force.
Mr Sadhotra also sought strict implementation of Motor Transport Workers Act and issued necessary instructions for streamlining the Labour Contractor Licence mechanism.
The Minister asked the Employees Provident Fund Organization to take all necessary measures for updating the accounts of the account holders and settlement of their cases on priority basis.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Labour and Employment, Yedullah, Labour Commis-sioner, Shahid Anayatullah, (CEO) Sayed Mujeed Hussain besides the Assistant Commissioners, Labour and of various districts.
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