Unorganised Workers Federation on Tuesday put forth its demands in the form of an election manifesto which will be propagated across the State.
The Federation represents potters, farm labourers, domestic help, construction and migrant labourers. They want the government to allow the labour unions to register the workers, renew their cards and applications instead of dealing with the workers directly. The welfare boards should function independently and applicants should receive their cards within a month of applying.
V. Geetha, advisor of the Federation said at a press meet that migrant labourers from not just other states but even districts were not being registered. “There are thousands of applicants waiting for their cards. Workers are made to run from one department to another to fill the registration forms,” she said.
The Federation wants the State government to raise the compensation from Rs. 15,000 in case of death under natural circumstances. It has also demanded medical services for the workers under the Employees State Insurance Corporation. Sema Narayanan, representing potters, said the government has to ensure that the natural resources are not lost.
