4,000 casual workers upgraded to permanent ones in all jute mills

The state Labour department has achieved 80 percent of their set target in inspiring jute mill owners to upgrade casual labourers to permanent ones in the past two years.

In a tripartite meeting a few months ago between the state Labour department, the representatives of jute mill owners and workers' unions, a target was set to upgrade 5,000 casual workers to permanent ones.

As per the decision, the state Labour department had subsequently sent letters to all the jute mill authorities to initiate the process of making at least 100 casual labourers permanent in each of the jute mills.

At present, there are 69 jute mills in different districts of the state including Howrah, Hooghly, Murshidabad, Cooch Behar, North and South 24 Parganas in which around 2.5 lakh people are employed. The big jute mills are situation in Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas while there are some comparatively small mills in Murshidabad and Cooch Behar.

Moloy Ghatak, the state Labour minister, said: "In Another tripartite meeting held a few days ago, representatives of most jute mills claimed that they have already made 100 casual workers permanent.

The number would be around 4,000 and we have already received letters confirming the same from 32 jute mill authorities."

In the last tripartite meeting, 26 trade unions, representatives of five associations of the mill owners and the state Labour department officials were present.

The minister further said: "We are writing to some of the jute mills which are yet to implement the same and if they have already implemented it then they should give letter to the government stating that they have upgraded at least 100 labourers to permanent ones. If any jute mills hasn't turned 100 labourers permanent, then they will be asked to immediately take steps."

Stating that this is a major step taken for the employees of jute mills after increasing the minimum wage, Ghatak said: "Such initiatives are helping in bringing reforms in the jute industry."

"Difference between workers' unions and mill owners had been a usual matter during the Left Front regime which used to have an effect on the entire industry. But the steps we have taken will help reduce

the chances of problem between workers and mill owners," he said.

It may be mentioned that the minimum wage of a jute mill worker during the Left Front regime was only Rs 157. Within a few years after the change of guard in the state, the minimum wage has been increased to Rs 258.

With workers becoming permanent, they will be getting better salaries and other benefits including Provident Fund and health facilities. Moreover, they will also be getting the sanctioned holidays.