HC asks state to register all unorganized-sector workers

AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat high court has directed the state government to take immediate steps for registration of all workers in the unorganized sectors in Gujarat. The court also directed the state government to set up a State Social Security Board for welfare of these unorganized workers.

Besides this, the state government will have to soon notify seven welfare schemes, which have already been formed as per the provisions of section 3(4) of the Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008. The high court has ordered the government to implement the welfare schemes fast.

These directions have been issued by the division bench headed by Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya acting on a PIL filed by Bruhad Ahmedabad Adivasi Bhil Shikshit Yuvak Mitra Mandal. The Mandal has sought proper implementation of the laws meant for unorganized sector labourers and construction workers that come to the urban areas and live in sub-human conditions without any social security.

The high court had sought explanations in this regard from the state and the Centre and came to the conclusion that the state has not done anything to implement the schemes, though they have been formulated. The court also noticed that the district treasuries have collected cess of Rs 198 crore