Trade unions on Wednesday strongly protested against the decision of some state governments to cut their employees’ pay, increase working hours and delay movement of migrant workers who wish to return home amid the lockdown.
As many as 12 central trade unions raisedvarious issues during a webinar with Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar and seniorofficials of the ministry on Wednesday.
The unions demandedeffective implementation of Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 and alsopitched for bringing a national policy for migrant workers.
In a statement issued afterthe webinar, BJP-affiliated BharatiyaMazdoorSangh (BMS) said it has demandedfrom the “government to immediately start creating a National Register ofMigrant Workers for creating data base, proper identity, portability, labourlaw protection, social security benefits etc.”
The union told the ministerthat many migrant workers returning to their homes are facing various problems,both in the host state as well as their home state.
The BMS said theInter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979 is grossly violated when train fare iscollected from workers, and contractors/principal employers do not provide themwith wages or food in the labour camps.