On the occasion of International Labour Day, PACS, PHIA Foundation and Department of Labour, Employment and Training and Skill Development; Government of Jharkhand launched a Toll Free Labour Helpline 18003456526. It was followed by the Online release of Labour Schemes and Award Ceremony of Jharkhand Shram Shakti at Project Building, Ranchi, Jharkhand Honorable Chief Minister Jharkhand, Shri Raghuvar Das graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and Sri. Raj Paliwar, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Labour, Employment and Training and Skill Development and Sri CP Singh, Honorable Minister, Urban Development were invited as the Special Guest. Other key government officials were also present to grace this occasion. The event was attended by over 600 participants including government officials, media representatives, civil society representatives and labourers.
Shri M Bhatia IAS, Principal Secretary, Labour Department, Government of Jharkhand presented an account of recent initiatives on welfare measures of the department to ensure social security and rights. The efforts of the PACS program in providing technical support for the roll out of the department’s schemes and programs was acknowledged. He also expressed his keenness to continue the partnerships in future. Honorable Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of the Labour department in the conceptualization and launch of welfare measures for the benefit of the unorganized labourers. He congratulated the efficacious efforts of the department under the able guidance and leadership of Shri Raj Paliwar, Labour Minister. He mentioned the Prime Minister’s dream of ‘Skilled India’ and emphasized the need for skill development of laborers to realize the dream of ‘Skill India’.
Shri Raj Paliwar, Minister Labour, GoJ emphasized the need for important measures to improve the situation of women workers so that they get their rightful place. He assured that the government is committed to become the voice of the labourers. Shri. CP Singh, Honorable Minister, Urban Development and Shri Ashok Bhagat, Secretary, Vikas Bharati also addressed the audience. Honorable Chief Minister launched the following services:
- Portal for online registration and filing of returns by Trade Unions
- Uploading and maintenance of Inspection Reports online
- Portal for online registration of unorganized workers & Building & other construction workers
- Portal for online claim submission for benefits under BOCW scheme
- Online maintenance of register as well as filing of returns by entrepreneurs
- Maintaining online records & register under various labour laws of the department
Shramik Helpline – The helpline would allow the labourers to not only lodge their complaints against the atrocities or actions on anybody’s part not in conformity with the rules and regulations but also make relevant enquiries. The toll free helpline number 18003456526 is toll-free and remains active between 7 am to 7 pm for callers. The helpline center is housed in the premise of the Labour Department and is being managed by PACS/ PHIA Foundation.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Shri. Praveen Toppo, Labour commissioner, Labour Department, Government of Jharkhand.
“This has been a historic milestone for recognizing the rights and entitlements provisioned under labour welfare schemes. Shramik helpline would function to strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism in the state”. – Mr. Johnson Topno, State Manager, PACS
