JOIN US Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader has advised builders and contractors to get workers at construction sites enrolled for smartcards, which will help the workers to avail various benefits from the government.
He spoke, inaugurating a free medical camp for construction workers and their family members, organised by Father Muller Hospital in Mangaluru on Sunday.
The minister said that most construction workers are not aware of their health status and are also unable to have regular health checkups. “The RBSY card will be provided to workers below the poverty line. The card is issued by the Labour Department. The builders have to issue certificates to the workers and ensure that they have enrolled their names with the Labour Department to avail the facility,” Khader explained and added that it is also the responsibility of builders to provide drinking water facility to workers at the construction sites.
MLC Ivan D’Souza, who was the guest of honour, said that the workers should utilise the facilities provided to them by both, the central and the state governments. “There are various schemes for workers from the unorganised sectors. The workers are also being offered monthly pension scheme, PF and other facilities. The smartcard holders can avail treatment at any hospital in the state, at an expense of up to Rs 5000. Also, Rs one lakh is provided in case of permanent disability occurring during the work and Rs two lakh in case of death,” the legislator listed out.
D’Souza, meanwhile, urged the central government to frame a policy for the benefit of labourers. “The central government should not ban tobacco. If done so, lakhs of beedi workers in the state will lose their jobs. Instead, the government should open garment factories in various districts, to provide alternative work,” he added.
Credai (Mangaluru) President D B Mehta has urged the government to utilise the fund of Rs 100 crore, which is deposited by the contractors, at the Labour Welfare Board. “There is a need to bring changes in the rules, in order to assimilate various schemes meant for the labourers, and so that the funds are utilised. The members of Credai have been directed to keep first aid boxes at all construction sites and to test the borewell water at least once in six months. The Credai will launch a scholarship scheme for children of construction workers in the near future,” he said and added that there are around 14,000 construction workers in the district.
Father Muller Medical College Hospital Administrator Rev Fr Richard Coelho, District Health Officer Dr Ramakrishna Rao and Credai Secretary Naveen Cardoza were present.