Representative image of hamali workers.
Credit: DH Photo
Mandya: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Mandya district has issued a few directions to address the problems of the hamali (load and unload) daily wage workers, under Anna Bhagya and other public distribution system (PDS) schemes.
DC Kumara chaired a meeting, to address the grievances of the hamali workers, focusing on complaints regarding the delay in wage payment and irregularities in ESI and PF contributions.
The DC issued the instructions to the contractors and officials for the welfare of the daily wage workers. “Wholesale and retail contractors must take timely action to ensure that there is no delay in the lifting (loading) and distribution of foodgrains. It is mandatory to pay the wages to the workers by the 5th of every month. The lifting and distribution of PDS rations under Anna Bhagya and other schemes must be completed by the 10th of every month,” he said.
Kumara said, “ESI and PF must be compulsorily paid for the workers every month, and the relevant documents and information must be submitted to the respective offices. The employer's contribution (PFI) must be paid in full as per regulations”.
He said, “The Deputy Director of the Food and Civil Supplies department should implement a complaint receiving system for the quick resolution of hamali workers' grievances. Strict action would be taken against the contractors, if any violation of the instructions is found”.
Deputy Director for Food and Civil Supplies Prateek G Hegde, District Labour Officer, Lead Bank Manager, wholesale and retail transport contractors of Mandya district, president of Karnataka Shramika Shakti Varadarajendra, district president of Shakti B Krishna, and district secretary Siddaraju were present at the meeting.