Soni, 49, MLA from Madipur constituency and a former businessman, is now the minister of development, employment, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the Delhi government. Soni has been a crusader for the causes of the aam aadmi. He participated in the Bijli Pani Andolan of the Aam Aadmi Party. He had been associated with Bharat Naujawan Sabha in 1980 and was also the general secretary of the party in his constituency.
How have things changed for you after becoming a minister. How can you make a difference?
Things have changed now, I got a chance to serve the people and can make a difference. However, it will take some time to change the system. But with honest efforts and dedication our ministry will take necessary action for the welfare of the labourers of Delhi.
What will be your main focus as a labour minister?
Contractual labourers and construction labourers are the most exploited section and their condition is pathetic. A major chunk of this group is constituted by those who have migrated. They don’t have any facilities. They are not educated and not aware of their rights. We will take relevant steps to ensure their rights and we are working on this.
What sort of complaints have you been receiving since taking charge as labour minster?
Majority of the complaints are coming from the contractual labourers or employees who are looking for permanent jobs. Wages are not being paid to them regularly as per the minimum notified rates and they want us to secure their rights.
How are you going to deal with the contractual labourer problem?
In a bid to make jobs for contract labourers permanent, we have directed all government departments to send us the lists of contract workers. There are people who have been working for long but their jobs have not been regularised and they work on contract. Once I get the data we will chalk out a strategy to regularise the jobs.
Will you take action to make the condition of such labourers better instantly?
There are some technical hurdles which stop some good plans from being implemented instantly, however, our department is analysing it and soon some concrete action will be taken in this regard. One thing I can assure is that the labourers’ rights will be taken care of by our government and strict action will be taken against the employer or contractor who violate labour laws.
How have things changed for you after becoming a minister. How can you make a difference?
Things have changed now, I got a chance to serve the people and can make a difference. However, it will take some time to change the system. But with honest efforts and dedication our ministry will take necessary action for the welfare of the labourers of Delhi.
What will be your main focus as a labour minister?
Contractual labourers and construction labourers are the most exploited section and their condition is pathetic. A major chunk of this group is constituted by those who have migrated. They don’t have any facilities. They are not educated and not aware of their rights. We will take relevant steps to ensure their rights and we are working on this.
What sort of complaints have you been receiving since taking charge as labour minster?
Majority of the complaints are coming from the contractual labourers or employees who are looking for permanent jobs. Wages are not being paid to them regularly as per the minimum notified rates and they want us to secure their rights.
How are you going to deal with the contractual labourer problem?
In a bid to make jobs for contract labourers permanent, we have directed all government departments to send us the lists of contract workers. There are people who have been working for long but their jobs have not been regularised and they work on contract. Once I get the data we will chalk out a strategy to regularise the jobs.
Will you take action to make the condition of such labourers better instantly?
There are some technical hurdles which stop some good plans from being implemented instantly, however, our department is analysing it and soon some concrete action will be taken in this regard. One thing I can assure is that the labourers’ rights will be taken care of by our government and strict action will be taken against the employer or contractor who violate labour laws.