Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 04 November 2023
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles, and Skill Development, under the leadership of its Chairman, Mr. Bharatruhari Mehtab, embarked on a 5-day visit to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, commencing on November 2, 2023.
Mr. Mehtab is joined by a distinguished panel of committee members, including Mr. Satish Kumar Gautam, Adv. Dean Kuriakose, Mr. Dayakar Pasunoori, Mr. Khalilur Rahaman, Mr. Bhola Singh, Mr. Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel, Mr. K Subbarayan, Mr. Giridhari Yadav, Mr. Naresh Bansal, Mr. Neeraj Dangi, Mr. R Dharmar, and Mr. Elamaran Kareem.
On November 3, 2023, the Committee convened a series of discussions at the ‘Hotel Taj Exotica,’ Swaraj Dweep, with key officials from various labor-related organisations within the region, to gain insights into their role, functions, and duties concerning the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The discussions encompassed a wide range of topics, with a special focus on the implementation of labor laws and the welfare of contract and casual workers in the region. The Committee held talks with the Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner/Regional Labour Commissioner, and the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, along with representatives from the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).
In addition, the Committee engaged in a fruitful dialogue with the management of Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW) and officials from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The primary objective was to assess contractual appointments and deployments and the effective implementation of labor laws, particularly concerning the welfare of contract and casual workers within ALHW.
Furthermore, the Committee convened discussions with officials from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and representatives of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs. The focus of these talks was to examine contractual appointments, deployments, and the adherence to labor laws within CPWD, with a particular emphasis on the unique circumstances of the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.