Latest news with #MinimumWagesAct
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Outsourced staff's strike for regular jobs cripples PSPCL functioning
Just a week before the advent of the paddy season, the PSPCL is grappling with a severe crisis as an ongoing strike by outsourced complaint handling bike (CHB) and complaint handling wagon (CHW) workers has brought its regular operations almost to a halt. Faced with gusty winds, unscheduled power outages, infrastructure failures, the power utility is struggling to maintain even basic services. To cope up with the challenge, officials confirmed that the corporation has also halted issuance of new electricity connections, both domestic and industrial, across Ludhiana. With the strike entering its fourth consecutive day, field operations have also been directly impacted, leaving approximately 447 meter installations pending citywide. Over the past week, several areas in Ludhiana experienced prolonged, unscheduled power outages, especially during evening and night hours. In response, PSPCL instructed divisional officials to identify vulnerable spots and carry out repair and augmentation work on strained transformers and transmission lines to ensure uninterrupted power supply. However, this plan has been severely disrupted as the outsourced workers primarily handle these on-ground technical tasks, leaving limited manpower to manage repairs. The strike has also put pressure on regular PSPCL employees, whose working hours have been extended and their holidays suspended until the strike ends. Despite these efforts, the utility struggles to keep essential services afloat. The situation is grave in Ludhiana due to stark shortage of technical manpower. Official data reveals that out of 4,963 sanctioned posts for linemen and assistant linemen, 76% (3,767 posts) remain vacant. To serve over 17 lakh consumers in the city, only 1,196 linemen and assistant linemen are currently available, forcing the PSPCL to suspend all its other regular operations. Chief engineer Jagdev Singh Hans of PSPCL's central zone acknowledged the crisis, stating, 'Our topmost priority is to ensure uninterrupted power supply while other regular operations have been put on hold until the strike is resolved.' The strike began on May 20, involving around 3,500 outsourced CHB and CHW workers under the Powercom and Transco Contractual Workers Union, Punjab. Their key demands include stopping privatisation policies in the power department, removal of outsourced firms and direct recruitment by the PSPCL. They are also pressing for unconditional regularisation of outsourced employees, salary fixes as per the Minimum Wages Act (1948) and 15th Labour Conference recommendations, legal death compensation with government jobs and pensions for family members of electrocuted workers, salary increments or promotions after 3, 5, and 7 years of service, provision of housing at minimal rent, severance packages of at least ₹30 lakh post-retirement and various allowances including project, shift duty, risk, vehicle, medical, mobile, and fuel allowances. Additional demands include canceling unjustified remote transfers, arranging TTI training, reinstating terminated workers, enforcing work order benefits and timely payment of salaries. Commenting on the ongoing strike, Balihar Singh, state president of the union, said, 'We are on an indefinite strike until the state government and the PSPCL management agree to our demands. Despite several rounds of talks, the government has failed to ensure better working conditions for us.'
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Pattasale Nekaras' in Hubballi demand minimum wages, facilities, reservation
The 'Pattasale Nekara' (weavers) have urged both the State and Union governments to extend facilities to the weaving community by considering them as 'workers' and include them under the Minimum Wages Act, apart from providing requisite representation to the community and requisite reservation. State president of the Akhila Karnataka Pattasale Nekara Sangha H. Thippeswamy, while jointly addressing press persons along with general secretary Chandrakanth K. Shekha, advisor Viranna Chinnikatti, and other office bearers, urged the Chief Minister not to initiate steps that would take away the existing reservation to the community, which is presently included under 2A category of other backward classes. Mr. Thippeswamy said that the 'Pattasale Nekara' community was one of the most backward communities among the 29 subcastes in the weaving community. 'The weaving community provided people with clothes to protect their dignity, but the members of the community are being forced to lead an undignified life,' he said. He pointed out that while the community was in favour of conducting a caste census, it was against the unscientific manner in which it had been carried out, resulting in their number being limited to around four lakhs, while the actual number was estimated to be around 45 lakhs. General Secretary Chandrakanth K. Shekha pointed out that successive governments had failed to provide regular employment to the weavers by supplying raw materials for production of uniforms, bedsheets and other products, which the government could in turn procure from the weavers. The 'Nekar Abhivruddhi Pradhikara' set up during the previous government had not been provided a single paisa to take up welfare initiatives. Mr. Chandrakanth urged the government to give order to the weavers' organisations to supply uniforms to school children, sarees to anganwadi workers well in advance so that they could have employment on a regular basis. Advisor Viranna Chinnikatti said that the association planned to construct community hall and skill centre for the youths of the community and urged the government to provide suitable land for the same. Organising secretary Parashuram Kamble said that they were conducting an awareness programme for the community at Nekar Nagar in Hubballi on Sunday, which will be inaugurated by Labour Minister Santosh Lad at 11 a.m.
The Hindu
01-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Service of 9,000 co-workers in cleaning will also be regularised, says CM Siddaramaiah
Close on the heels of regularising the services of 12,692 pourakarmikas in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday promised to regularise the services of nearly 9,000 other workers engaged in cleanliness work including drivers, assistants and waste operators in the coming days. Addressing a programme organised in Bengaluru to distribute appointment/confirmation orders to pourakarmikas and also celebrate Pourakarmikas' Day, the Chief Minister declared that the government was committed to regularising the services of co-workers in cleaning works on the lines of pourakarmikas. While the services of only sweepers have been regularised, there has been a consistent demand to bring waste collectors also out of the clutches of the contractors and regularise their services. From the previous tenure Mr. Siddaramaiah recalled that he had begun working towards the welfare of pourakarmikas in his first stint as Chief Minister between 2013 and 2018. 'Then the pourakarmikas were being cheated by the contractors who engaged their services by not giving them justifiable salaries. Hence, I introduced a direct bank transfer system under which the pourakarmikas would get ₹17,000 a month in accordance with the Minimum Wages Act as against the earlier ₹7,000,' he said. He said that as per the election promise ahead of the 2023 polls, their services are now being regularised. 'This will bring about a positive change in your lives as you would get ₹39,000 a month,' the Chief Minister told the pourakarmikas. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, who is also in-charge of Bengaluru city, said the government considers pourakarmikas as ambassadors of cleanliness. 'Your contribution is significant in making this city get global recognition,' he remarked. IPD Salappa panel Mr. Shivakumar said the government was considering implementing the various recommendations of the IPD Salappa Committee for the welfare of pourakarmikas in a phased manner. The implementation of the recommendations is expected to cost ₹600 crore, he noted. Participating in the event, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge batted for the regularisation of pourakarmikas across Karnataka. 'Now that the Congress government has regularised the service of 12,692 pourakarmikas here, I hope it is extended to their counterparts working in various local government bodies as well,' he said.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
On Labour Day, 4k pourakarmikas get permanent jobs; Rs 39k per month salary
Bengaluru: In a symbolic gesture marking , chief minister Siddaramaiah Thursday handed over permanent appointment letters to 4,000 pourakarmikas (civic workers) in Bengaluru, fulfilling a key election promise. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The move is part of a larger plan to regularise services of 12,632 pourakarmikas across the state. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike ( BBMP ) officials say the remaining 8,632 workers will receive their appointment letters after document verification is completed. Addressing a gathering at the Pourakarmikas Day celebration, Siddaramaiah announced that over 9,000 drivers and helpers operating auto tippers and garbage trucks will also be regularised soon. "During my previous tenure as chief minister, I noticed that pourakarmikas were being exploited by contractors and were not receiving fair wages. To help these exploited workers, I ensured that they received a wage as per the Minimum Wages Act. The salary, which was initially Rs 7,000, increased to 17,000 rupees and was directly credited to their bank accounts. This freed workers from the clutches of middlemen. Now, after their service is permanent, they will receive Rs 39,000 as salary," Siddaramaiah said. He recalled his earlier support for pourakarmikas' demands while in the opposition. "The previous govt did not fulfil this demand. However, we made them a promise in the 2023 assembly election manifesto and we have fulfilled it," he said. Looking ahead, the CM urged pourakarmikas to invest in their families' future. "Pourakarmikas must educate their children. The govt aims for pourakarmikas and their families to join the mainstream, thereby building an equitable society. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Economic, social, and educational equality should be accessible to all." Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who was also present at the event, lauded the role of civic workers in keeping Bengaluru clean. "Our govt considers pourakarmikas as children of God and ambassadors of cleanliness. They are doctors who preserve the health of people, and because of their service in keeping Bengaluru beautiful, the city has gained international recognition," he said.
Hans India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Protecting the Worker: An Overview of India's Labor Laws
Introduction Workers and employees are one of the most important elements in running India's economic engine. Millions of employees, from daily wage earners to corporate professionals, contribute significantly to the country's growth. To promote fair treatment, safety and dignity in the workplace, the government created labor laws not only regulate the terms of employment, but also protect the rights of employees and ensure that employers follow ethical many employees are unaware of these legal rights and often become victims to exploitation or uncertain working purpose of this article is to provide a basic understanding of Indian labor laws and why it is essential for all employees to know about them. What Do We Understand By Labor Law? Labor laws, also known as employment laws, are a set of legal rules that regulate the relationship between employers and employees. The goal of these laws is to ensure social justice and fair treatment in the workplace by regulating not only employee rights but also standards for working conditions, wages, occupational safety, health and security. In India, the Labor Laws cover a wide spectrum - ranging from industrial conflicts and minimum wages to maternity benefits and working hours. The law applies to various categories of employees, including contract workers, factory workers, employees, and informal sector employees. Types of Labor Laws in India India has a complex and vast framework of labor simplify, these laws can be divided into the following categories: 1. Wage Laws These laws deal with the payment of wages and ensure that employees are paid fairly and on time. The Minimum Wages Act ,1948 - It ensures that all employees receive the minimum wage, as prescribed by the government. The Payments of Wages Act,1936 regulates timely payments of wages without any unauthorized deductions. The Equal Remuneration Act ,1976 - It promotes gender equality by ensuring equal payments for equal work. 2. Social Security Laws Social Security laws provide financial protection and benefits to the employees and their families: Employees Provident Fund ,1952 - It provides benefits of retirement through the Contributory Provident Fund where employer and employee both contribute voluntarily. The Employees State Insurance Act ,1948 - It provides medical care, disability and maternity benefits. Payments Gratuity Act, 1972 - This act provides a lump-Sum payment to employees upon leaving the job after a minimum of five years of continuous services. 3. Working conditions and Welfare laws As the name implies, these laws regulate working hours, rest periods and workplace security. The Factory Act,1948 - It ensures safe and healthy working conditions in factories. The Shops and Establishments Act,1954 - This act regulates working hours, weekly holidays, and working conditions for commercial institutions. The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 - It protects the interests of contract workers. 4. Industrial Relations Laws To build relationships between employers, employees and trade unions, the government created laws which are called Industrial Relations Laws. The Industrial Disputes Act,1947 - It includes dispute resolution between employers and employees, lays down procedures for strikes, layoffs and retrenchments. Trade Union Act ,1926- This act recognizes all the registered trade unions and regulates their rights and responsibilities. 5. Laws Protecting Vulnerable Workers A special law has been issued to protect women, children and unorganized sector workers. The 1961 birth law grants maternity leave and other benefits during pregnancy. The Child Labor Act of 1986 (prohibition and regulation)- According to this act, any child under the age of 14 is prohibited for employment. The Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 - This act offers social security and social welfare programs to unorganized workers. Why Is It Important to Know About Labor Laws? Many workers in India are not aware about their legal rights, specifically workers in the informal or unorganized sectors which often leads to: Exploitation - Workers may be underpaid, overworked or denied benefits. Unsafe Conditions - Without knowledge of safety laws, workers may suffer from poor health and injury. Legal Vulnerability - Ignorance can prevent employees from standing up for themselves or seeking redress in case of disputes. Being informed about labor laws empowers workers in the following ways: 1. Protects basic rights : Understanding the law ensures that workers know their entitlements such as minimum wage, paid leave, working hours, and more. 2. Promote security in the workplace : Knowing security standards helps workers to recognize unsafe practices and demand appropriate working conditions. 3. Strengthens Job Security : Familiarity with provisions against wrongful termination or unfair labor practices provides a legal safeguard. 4. Encourages fair treatment Workers can approach trade unions or labor courts when they face discrimination or harassment. 5. Helps Access Social Benefits Many labor laws entitle workers to pension, medical care, insurance, etc., but only if you know how to claim these services. Conclusion The Indian labor Law is vital to run the economy. It maintains fairness, justice and safety in the government and employers play an important role in the creation and maintenance of these laws, employees must also remain informed of their rights and duties. It is important for everyone to understand the labor laws so that you can keep your dignity and protect your interests. India continues to grow, but a legally strengthened workforce is not just a need. It is the foundation of sustainable development. So get to know your rights, talk when you see the violation of these laws and encourage others to do the same.
