Several schemes launched aiming at benefitting working class
Shillong, May 1: Wages for unskilled labour is one of the highest in the country, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said while participating in the official celebration of International Workers’ Day on Friday.
“Meghalaya is giving Rs 525 per day for unskilled labour, making it the third state in the country to give the highest rates for unskilled labour after Karnataka and Goa,” Sangma said while also launching several schemes targeting the worker community.
Mentioning that the state-level celebration of the occasion took place after a long time, the Chief Minister urged all labourers and workers in the state to register with the Labour department to avail all due benefits.
He informed that the Labour Cess, which is 1% levy collected on the cost of construction, collected by the state is around Rs 400 crore.
The amount is used to generate funds for welfare boards to provide health, accident, pension and education benefits to the registered workers and labourers, he said addressing the gathering of construction workers, labourers and the working class at U Soso Tham Auditorium.
He said the 10 billion dollar economy target of the state is inclusive where besides the economic growth and development the common man including the working class will benefit.
“Meghalaya is the second fastest growing economy in the country consistently maintaining a growth rate of 10% with more than 5,000 projects worth Rs 2,900 crore being implemented creating 20,000 jobs for the people,” he said.
He reiterated that while the economic growth is critical for the government ensuring that no one is left behind and the common man benefits from this growth is equally important.
“Today I want to thank everyone of you present here for all your contributions in taking our state forward and we are here today to recognise and appreciate your hard work and sacrifices,” he said.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched various welfare initiatives to support the labourers and workers and their families.
He said schemes would protect, strengthen, uplift and empower the labourers and workers by combining direct relief, livelihood support and educational advancement, “building an ecosystem where the families that power our development are themselves empowered to rise with it.”
Among the schemes, CM LIGHT (Chief Minister’s Labour Income Grant for House Builders and Trademarks) is a direct assistance of Rs 5,000 supporting Active BOCWs (Building & Other Construction Workers) to drive formalisation and genuine support.
Another scheme, ENABLE (Enhancing Necessary Ability for Better Learning Environment), shall provide repair and renovation support to education institutes, ensuring safe, child-friendly spaces for BOCWs covering all government, aided, Ad-Hoc/Deficit and private schools.
Under the scheme, 5% seats will be reserved to be allowed exclusively to children of workers registered under BOCW, BUILD (Boosting and Upgrading Infrastructure for Livelihood and Development) for targeted infrastructure development and improvement that generate employment and strengthen skill development.
The chief minister also distributed the Startup Toolkits for active registered BOCW beneficiaries who have completed approved skill training.
This one-time startup scheme aims to remove entry-level barriers and enhance employment readiness in key construction trades.
The Digital Labour Chowk (DLC) Mobile App to digitise onboarding of construction workers to bring every worker into a verified, transparent system, ensuring that welfare, jobs and entitlements reach everyone and also announced the Social Security Coverage for registered workers under PM-SYM, PMJJBY, PMSBY to be borne by MBOCWWB.
The Chief Minister also handed over cheques and sanction letters and other benefits to the beneficiaries during the International Workers’ Day celebrations.
Labour, Employment and Skill Development minister Methodius Dkhar also attended the occasion.
