Welfare scheme for casual laboureres from other states

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 21 (UNI) Kerala Labour Minister P K Gurudasan today told the Assembly that the government would take steps to protect casual labourers from other states and also intended to bring a welfare scheme for them.

Replying to questions from Mr Rajaji Mathew Thomas and others, he said while introducing a labour bank about the migrated labourers it would be possible to ensure maximum works to them.

Mr Gurudasan said the Centre had brought in legislation banning child labour in the country and the government would implement it in the state.

However, compared to other states, the number of child labourers in the state was very less, the Minister clarified.

The labour Minister indicated that though the exact figure of migrated labourers was not available, it was estimated that about 1.16 lakh workers, with the maximum of 50,989 from Tamil Nadu, were engaged in various casual works in the state.

Regarding the education of their children, who had no proper birth certificates, the minister said they could be admitted to schools after obtaining a certificate from a doctor.

UNI