The 18th triennial conference of BMS discusses alternate model of development, matters related to working women and unorganised sector workers
Raghvendra Kumar
Kanpur: “The Central Government is working not merely to ensure minimum wages, but also the proper wages. For it, a Universal Wage Code Bill will be tabled in Parliament soon. After passing of the bill, no state will be allowed to pay less wages than the fixed amount in the Bill. However, they will be free to pay more than that. Similarly, the PF pensioners will also get the facility of treatment at ESIC hospitals. This has principally been agreed and the work is on to finalise the modalities,” said Union Minister of State for Labour Shri Bandaru Dattatreya while addressing the 18th triennial conference of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh on May 23.
CK Sajinarayanan is new BMS president
Senior advocate Shri CK Sajinarayanan was elected new president of BMS on last day of the triennial conference. Shri Virjesh Upadhyaya will continue as general secretary. Shri B Surendran will be new organising secretary, while Shri Jagdish Joshi is the new treasurer.
The Labour Minister further said the government is serious to ensure social security to all the 93 per cent workers who work in the unorganised sector. In the first phase, the Anganwadi, Mid Day meal and MGNREGA workers have been covered and in the next phase other workers will be covered. About 5000 delegates representing 26 state units, 5300 unions and 33 Industrial federations attended the conference. The resolutions passed at the conference will be submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi through nationwide demonstrations at district headquarters on June 22.
RSS Sah Sarkaryavah Shri Dattateya Hosabale said the BMS is based on collectivity. He said the values and ideals set by its founder Dattopant Thengadi are the guiding force. Swami Avadheshanand Giri said both labourers and saints are hard working. The country becomes prosperous when the farmers and labourers work. Similarly, when the saints perform sadhana, their knowledge benefits all. Shri Ashok Bhagat stressed the need to give proper respect to the folk art, as promotion of the folk art will provide more employment. He said the BMS represents 70 per cent population of the country. The nation will be happy only when the farmers and labourers are happy.
The conference had serious discussion over the alternate model of development. Addressing a session on this topic noted economist Dr Bajranglal Gupt said the development model should be rooted in Indian ethos and it should address the issues of every citizen. The conference also demanded restructuring of NITI Ayog seeking representation of farmers, labourers, MSME, self-employed etc. The issues being faced by Anganwadi workers and also the contract workers were also discussed. The BMS said the Supreme Court ruling on contract labour must be respected and implemented by all the concerned agencies.
A session was dedicated to discuss the issues of working women. RSS Akhil Bharatiya Mahila Samanvya Pramukh Sushri Geetatai Gunde exhorted the women to take a lead role in the society and not to consider inferior to anyone.
