Dikchu hydel workers briefed on laws and provided welfare benefits

MANGAN, 24 Feb:  The workers engaged with the 96 MW Dikchu Hydel Project were briefed on Implementation of Building & Other Construction Welfare (RECS) Act 1996 and distribution of Welfare Benefits to  Registered Beneficiary workers in a function held here at powerhouse site at Dikchu today.   The workers are engaged with the project developers Sneha Kinetic Power Project Ltd. (SKPPL) and Drillcon Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. The function was organized by the Labour Department and was chaired by Project Manager, Drillcon Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, RB Gupta.
The Deputy Commissioner Labour, KR Limboo while delivering his welcome speech highlighted about the welfare of labour and informed that the workers who work continuously for three months or more in a particular establishment may obtain the relevant forms from Labour department for registration of workers and beneficiary after deposition of required fee as per the Rules.   He also informed about the safety measures of the workers at the work site.
Deputy Commissioner Labour, DS Kunwar informed that the contractors have to pay 1% Cess to the department informing that this Cess, notified in September 2010, goes towards funds to be utilized for the welfare of the workers.    He further informed that the registered beneficiaries will be covered with policy of Rs. 1 lakh under personal accident policy in case of accidental death and also informed that the beneficiaries will get other welfare facilities based in their need like medicine, injury compensation etc.
The Deputy Commissioner further stressed on every labourer to know their rights and duties and discipline as well which is very essential.  He urged them to work in coordination amongst themselves and the management further informed about the importance of the registration with the department.  The Deputy Commissioner further informed about the pension scheme for workers after 60 years under this Act and informed that the mandatory age of the workers should in between 18-60 years.  He further informed that workers should be paid double for the over time work as per the norms.
The different queries and doubt raised by the workers were addressed by the Deputy Commissioner and further directed the project developer to coordinate with the workers in case if there is any help to be extended from the management.  
Also on the day, the labourers were provided blankets and hot cases from the department.
The chief guest in his speech informed that awareness is very important for the workers and extended his gratitude to the department for such a fruitful function.
The function was also attended by Manager Civil SKPPL, RK Singh, Project Coordinator, Jigmee Tongden Lepcha, workers and the officials from the department.  The function concluded with the vote of thanks being delivered by Labour Inspector, Tashi Pintso Bhutia.

Awareness on labour welfare reaches Chungthang

CHUNGTHANG, 25 Jan:  The Department of Labour, North District held its second day of awareness on welfare benefits to the workers of Chungthang on 24 January at the dam site of 1200 MW H/E Project. The function was chaired by SDM Chungthang RK Yadav and began with a two-minute silence for those who lost their lives in the 18 September earthquake.
In his welcome speech, the Deputy Commissioner Labour Department, North briefed on the Implementation of Building and Other Construction Welfare (RECS) Act 1996 and distribution of Welfare Benefits to Registered Beneficiary workers in North Sikkim.  He further highlighted about labour welfare and informed that the workers who work continuously for three months or more in a particular establishment may obtain the relevant forms from the Labour department for registration of workers and beneficiary after deposition of required fee as per the Rules.    
Apart from it, the beneficiaries will get welfare facilities based on their needs like medicine, injury compensation, death compensation etc. The Deputy Commissioner further mentioned that the workers should get Sunday as a paid holiday and added that if they are entitled to work on a Sunday then the workers should be paid with double wages.
He also spoke on the timely payment of wages to the laborers and safety measures to be undertaken at the work site.  
The chief guest, SDM Chungthang, while addressing the workers informed that there should be coordination among the workers and the management for better implementation of work and further appealed to the workers to be united.  The SDM stressed on avoiding working overtime because of health concerns and urged them to give time to family as well. He further appealed to the workers to ensure that safety measures are taken while working and also added that every worker should be aware about this Act.
The function concluded with the vote of thanks by Brig. Ranjit Mishra (Sr. DGM AIPL)
The function was also attended by Panchayat President Chungthang, Lendup Lepcha, officials from Labour Department, officials from the Power Project and the workers from SEW and Navayuga Engineering Company, sub contractors under Teesta Urja Company.
A total of 510 registered laborers were provided with one blanket and one hot case each from the department during the day. Similarly, an awareness programme was also held today at Theng Adit II for the labourers of Abir Infrastructures Pvt. Ltd. where the function was chaired by Brig. Ranjit Mishra (Sr. DGM AIPL).
A total of 450 labourers were provided with one blanket and one hot case each from the department after the function here.

Hydel workers briefed on welfare rights

MANGAN, 23 Jan:  The Department of Labour, North District today conducted a programme on Implementation of Building & Other Construction Welfare (RECS) Act 1996 and distribution of Welfare Benefits to Registered Beneficiary workers in North Sikkim here at the power house site at 1200 MW Teesta Stage III H/E Project at Ringdang in North Sikkim.  The function was chaired by SDM Mangan, PW Lepcha as the chief guest.
The Deputy Commissioner Labour, KR Limboo highlighted about the welfare of labourers and informed that workers who work continuously for three months or more in a particular establishment may obtain the relevant forms from the Labour department for registration of workers and beneficiary after deposition of required fee as per the Rules.  He also informed that the contractors have to pay 1% cess to the department mentioning that this Cess, notified in September 2010, goes towards funds to be utilized for the welfare of the workers.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that a total of 307 laborers have been registered with the Department which covers the life insurance of Rs. 1 lakh.  Apart from it, the beneficiaries will get welfare facilities based on their needs like medicine, injury compensation, death compensation etc.
He further informed that the seven labourers who died in the18 September earthquake will be provided with compensation of Rs. 1 lakh each.  The Deputy Commissioner further highlighted about the establishment of three recreation centres for labourers at Singhik, Chunthang and Theng with facilities like 48-inch television, carom board, volley ball etc.
The chief guest while addressing the workers said that they should know about this Act and about the benefits for which he urged them to be in touch with the department.  He also informed about the importance of registration with the department.
A total of 307 registered labourers were provided with one blanket and one hot case each from the department on the day.