Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Trade Union Council (APTUC) has urged the state government to take immediate measures for the welfare, protection and social security of workers across the state.
Addressing reporters at the Arunachal Press Club on Tuesday, APTUC president Jalley Sonam said the union had submitted a memorandum to the Labour Commissioner on May 4 highlighting several long-pending demands concerning organised and unorganised workers in Arunachal Pradesh.
Among the key demands, the union sought establishment of the Dattopant Thengdi National Board for Workers Education and Development in the state to promote workers’ education, awareness and skill development in rural and urban areas.
Sonam said the initiative would help workers better understand their rights and improve livelihoods under the provisions of the Code on Social Security, 2020.
The union also demanded immediate implementation of the Shop and Establishment Act and Rules, which were reportedly tabled in the state Assembly in 2016.
According to Sonam, implementation of the Act would ensure benefits such as provident fund, Employees’ State Insurance (ESI), gratuity, bonus, compensation and minimum wages for workers employed in shops and commercial establishments.
Alleging that delay in implementation had adversely affected workers, he said many employees continue to face long working hours, denial of weekly offs, non-payment of minimum wages and lack of social security benefits.
The APTUC further sought constitution of a Minimum Wages Advisory Board under the Code on Wages, 2019, for revision and regulation of minimum wages in both organised and unorganised sectors.
The union also demanded formation of the Arunachal Pradesh Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Advisory Board under the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, to monitor workplace safety standards and workers’ welfare.
Expressing concern over the condition of unorganised workers, Sonam said the council had proposed creation of the Arunachal Pradesh Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Board under the Code on Social Security, 2020, to extend social security coverage, maintain workers’ databases and promote skill development and employment opportunities.
The memorandum also sought mandatory labour licences for private agencies, contractors and interstate migrant workers operating in the state. Sonam said the union had proposed strict verification procedures and mandatory Inner Line Permit (ILP) checks before issuing work permits to migrant labourers.
Highlighting wage-related issues, he appealed for revision of minimum wages for graduate and postgraduate employees engaged as casual or contingency workers, stating that remuneration should be linked to educational qualifications and skill levels.
The union also demanded mandatory implementation of Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) provisions in all private, public and government establishments, including for contractual, casual and contingency employees.
Raising concern over the non-functioning of the State Advisory Committee under the Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (APB&OCWWB), Sonam called for immediate reconstitution of the committee to ensure effective implementation of welfare schemes.
The council further pressed for formation of the Arunachal Pradesh Motor Transport Workers Welfare Board under the Code on Social Security, 2020, to provide insurance, pension, medical assistance and emergency support to transport workers.
Appealing for prompt government action, Sonam said the demands were raised in the larger interest of workers’ welfare and social security in Arunachal Pradesh.
