Companies directed to ensure proper accommodation & other facilities for workers

GANGTOK, : The State Labour department has directed companies and projects in Sikkim to ensure suitable residential accommodation to their workers in order to facilitate their wellbeing and to uphold their rights for safe, healthy and hygienic living conditions during their course of employment giving due importance to their mental health as well.

The directive was communicated to the plant heads, project managers, general managers, HR managers, contractors, service providers, pharmaceutical companies, ancillaries, power projects, distilleries and other commercial establishments, a press release on Wednesday informs.

Acting upon of the desire of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay during an official event very recently regarding accommodation of workers in congested rooms, Labour secretary Bhim Thatal has instructed companies, managers and service providers to follow the mandates of section 16 (d) of the Inter State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 1983 along with the relevant provisions.

The provisions mandate regular wage payment, equal pay for equal work, suitable work conditions, suitable residential accommodation, and medical facilities to the workers.

Further, directions have been issued to ensure due compliance in regard to the provisions of accommodation as mandated by the Act and furnish the compliance report along with details of contractors and the workers engaged, with picture of worker’s spacious and well-ventilated accommodation facilities at the earliest.

It was also directed that the accommodation provided to the workers by the companies/ contractors/ service providers/ establishments should have the rooms with all the facilities as mentioned above and are occupied by one or two workers/labourers or in proportionate to the space available. In the cases where a greater number of workers are accommodated immediate decongestion should be initiated by hiring more accommodation spaces as per the requirement, the Labour department said.