Shri B. Surendran, All India Organising Secretary of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, joined the pre-budget consultations with central trade unions, Organised by the Ministry of Finance, at Kartavya Bhawan, in the presence of Hon’ble Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble MoS for Finance, Sh. Pankaj Chaudhary, Secretary – Department of Economic Affairs, Secretary – Labour and Employment, Chief Economic Advisor, joint secretaries from MoFA & MoLE and representatives from all Central Trade Unions and Employers’ Organisations.
BMS has appreciated the government’s proactive approach and two significant decisions taken last year in the form of tax relaxation for the middle class – a key demand of BMS in the previous two years and constituting the 08th CPC and constitution of the 08th Central Pay Commission.
Further, BMS has raised issues of unorganised sector workers, the provision/enhancement of social security measures, and advised the government to focus on labour-intensive sectors, including beedi, plantation, sanitation, the fisheries sector, and gig & platform sectors.
We have urged the government to focus on the Unorganised sector, especially the regularisation of 28 lakh Aanganwadi workers and helpers, 10 lakh ASHA workers & 25.7 Lakh mid-day meal workers, along with other scheme workers. Further, we have also advised the government to raise MNREGA workdays from 100 to 200/family and link it with agriculture and village industries.
BMS has asked the government to increase the minimum pension from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 7500 and link it to the Consumer Price Index to ensure minimal impact of inflation on pensioners. BMS has also emphasised the need to raise the ESI wage ceiling from Rs. 21000 to Rs. 42000, the EPF ceiling from Rs. 15000 to Rs. 30000, and the Bonus calculation limit from 7000 to 14000, and also link them to CPI. Increase premium and insurance benefits under the Central Govt. Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS).
We have suggested setting up Vishwakarma centers for skilling/upskilling and providing financial support, etc., in self-employment sectors such as blacksmithing, pottery, carpentry, etc. BMS has also suggested “Gau Vigyan & Veterinary Kendra” alongside Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to facilitate cattle rearing and income generation in rural India.
To increase employment opportunities in rural India, we have suggested setting up a solar energy policy that allows marginal land holders from SC/ST/OBC/Women community holding 2-5 Acres of land, to set up solar power plants in their fields with capital support in the form of subsidy and cheap loans from the GOI. We have also proposed increased support for street vendors by increasing the PM SVAnidhi allocation and supporting urban local bodies in setting up mobile carts with solar-powered lights and seating.
BMS has strongly urged the government to implement the Code on Wages and the Code on Social Security at the earliest possible time to ensure that its well-intentioned benefits reach workers. On the other two codes, we have asked the government to Organise compulsory consultations with trade unions, as some of the provisions are not worker-friendly.
We have also demanded that production in select NTC mills be restarted at the earliest and that the pending wages of workers be paid at the earliest. Wage dues in different PSUs like HEC, HMT, RINL etc. should be cleared urgently.
We hope the government will take the necessary steps to improve workers’ welfare.
