Government of Sikkim
Gangtok, June 19 (IPR): Hon'ble Minister of Labour Department, Shri M.N. Sherpa, said that the passing of the Sikkim Labour (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2021 (Bill No. 11 of 2021) by the Sikkim Legislative Assembly during the Budget Session on 15th June, 2021 has been a significant achievement of the State government in ensuring a complete database of the labour force, and their overall welfare.
Addressing a press conference held at Shram Bhawan in Sokaythang today, the Hon'ble Minister reiterated the State Government's commitment towards protecting labourers from exploitation and added that the new Bill passed by the Assembly will further capacitate the State government to formulate and implement informed policies and programmes with mandatory provisions for improving the working and living conditions of labourers.
He informed that one of the binding provisions laid by the Bill is the mandatory registration and annual licensing of service providers or employers and establishments along with the labourers in order to achieve a comprehensive database of workforce in the State. It will also aid in redetermining the employers' primary duties and responsibilities to protect health, security and welfare of their employees, he added.
Stressing on the information gap on existing welfare schemes, the Hon’ble Minister said that the Labour Department has been consistently encouraging effective execution and sensitisation of various schemes designed for the benefit of labourers. He added that once the Bill gets assent of the Hon'ble Governor and notified by the Government, the Department will formulate and implement various advisories for the well-being and security of labourers in the State.
The Hon’ble Minister expressed gratitude to the State government for extending constant support and guidance for the progress and welfare of labourers in the State.
Secretary, Labour Department, Ms. Namrata Thapa, briefed the press gathering on the various issues with regard to monitoring and coordination of labourers in the State which will be addressed by the recently passed Bill. She informed that a Task Force has been constituted in each Municipality Ward and each Panchayat Ward under the Sikkim Labour Protection Act, 2005 for the purpose of detailed data collection of unorganised/individual workers and their registration. She also urged for maximum awareness on various labour welfare schemes at grassroot level.
The press conference was also attended by Additional Labour Commissioner, Shri D.S. Kunwar, Joint Labour Commissioner I, Shri K.R. Limboo, and Joint Labour Commissioner II, Smt. Tashi Wangmu Sherpa.
Courtesy: IPR Department, Government of Sikkim