Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today described labourers as the backbone of the economy, reiterating that the government is committed to ensure their economic welfare and social security across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing a Workers’ Conference organised by the Labour and Employment Department at Ambedkar Bhawan, Bari-Brahmana in Samba district, where he was the chief guest.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government is committed towards safeguarding the rights and welfare of the workforce through effective implementation of labour laws and welfare schemes.
“Our workers are the driving force behind economic development. The government is committed to ensure safe working conditions, fair wages, social security and dignity of labour for every worker across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the ongoing transformation in labour legislation through introduction of four Labour Codes which consolidate 29 existing central labour laws into four comprehensive codes covering wages, industrial relations, occupational safety and social security.
“The new Labour Codes are a landmark reform that simplify labour laws while strengthening protection and welfare of workers. These reforms aim to ensure universal minimum wages, improved workplace safety, enhanced social security and better mechanisms for dispute resolution,” he said.
He said that the Code on Wages ensures uniform wage regulation and timely payment of wages while promoting gender equality. The Industrial Relations Code strengthens dispute resolution mechanisms and facilitates better engagement between employers and workers, he added.
He further said that the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code provides a comprehensive framework for workplace safety and health standards, while the Code on Social Security expands coverage of welfare benefits to workers in organised, unorganised and sectors.
“The Labour Department is working towards implementing these reforms effectively in Jammu and Kashmir to create a fair, transparent and worker-friendly labour ecosystem,” he added.
Highlighting the department’s achievements, the Deputy Chief Minister said, “In the current financial year, 493 cases related to labour welfare have been settled and compensation amounting Rs.14.27 crore has been disbursed to aggrieved labourers under different labour laws,” he said.
Stressing the need for extensive awareness campaigns, the Deputy Chief Minister called for ensuring registration of all eligible workers so that they can avail the benefits of various Central and UT level welfare schemes.
He further informed that the department has significantly expanded digital governance by providing 23 services online through the Single Window System. During the current financial year, more than 14,000 registrations and over 11,000 renewals have been processed through the online platform.
The Deputy Chief Minister also highlighted the launch of Shramik Warta, an initiative introduced by the Labour Department to directly address workers’ grievances. “Sixteen Shramik Warta sessions have been conducted so far in which 358 grievances were received, most of which have already been resolved,” he said.
He also mentioned the 24×7 toll-free helpline “Shram Mitra”, has been established to provide timely assistance and effective grievance redressal to labourers.
He appreciated the Department for holding such events, facilitating the Government outreach Workers at their work places and listen to their issues directly. “We will hold these event in all other districts to meet our Workers at their doorsteps. Moreover, exclusive conferences shall be conducted for women workers as our Government has already taken measures and reforms for their safe and secure work conditions in J&K,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister also spoke about ongoing infrastructure initiatives such as the construction of Labour Sarais across Jammu and Kashmir to provide safe and dignified accommodation to labourers, particularly those coming from distant areas in search of livelihood.
During the programme, the Deputy Chief Minister distributed financial assistance amounting Rs. 84,07,071 among the beneficiaries under various welfare schemes of the Jammu and Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB), Employees Compensation Act and ESI schemes.
Earlier, Labour Commissioner Charandeep emphasised the importance of registration of eligible workers under the JKBOCWWB so that they can avail various welfare schemes provided by the Board.
The programme also provided an open platform for workers to share their experiences and feedback regarding benefits available under different welfare initiatives.
To further enhance awareness, a Nukkad Natak (street play) highlighting the benefits of Building and Other Construction Workers welfare schemes and key provisions of labour laws was also presented during the programme.
Among others present on the occasion were Deputy Labour Commissioner Jammu Sukhpal Singh, Inspector of Factories, Assistant Labour Commissioners of Samba and Jammu, IMO Samba, Lalit Mahajan, President of Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA), Assistant Labour Commissioner Samba Himani Jerath besides a large number of workers and stakeholders.