DOMESTIC WORKERS TO BE REGISTERED TO PROVIDE BENEFITS OF WELFARE SCHEMES: BALBIR SIDHU

CHANDIGARH, JUNE 13:

In a major policy decision taken by the Punjab Government, all the domestic workers in Punjab will be registered with the State Social Security Board and they will be extended the benefits under various social security and welfare schemes being run by the State Government. This decision has been taken in the maiden meeting of the State Social Security Board for unorganized workers held under the chairmanship of Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu labour Minister, Punjab.

Disclosing this in a press communiqué, Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that domestic workers are working in unorganized sector. He said that till date there was no provision for the registration of such domestic workers, which left these domestic workers out of the ambit of welfare schemes of state government. Besides they have been subjected to exploitation and maltreatment at the hands of their employers. He further added that it was the commitment of the Congress Party to the working class to provide them adequate benefits of the welfare schemes of the State. He said that the Congress Government after assuming charge has already constituted the State Social Security Board for the unorganized workers. The Minister said that after the registration of the domestic workers with the State Social Security Board, they will be provided a unique identity card which will be linked to their aadhar numbers.

Divulging further details of the registration process Mr. Sanjay Kumar, Principal Secretary Dept of Labour said that any domestic worker who has completed 14 years of age would be eligible for the registration. The worker has to furnish his only a self declaration confirming that he is a domestic worker. He said that the complete details of registration process will be uploaded on the labour department website and also be given wide publicity.

Meeting was attended by Mrs. Kavita Singh, Director Social Security Department, Mr. Pardeep Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana, Mr. T.S. Dhaliwal Labour Commissioner and other members of the State Social Security Board.