Gangwar asks states to coordinate with control rooms to resolve workers' grievances

Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar has asked states/UTs to designate nodal officers to coordinate with the 20 control rooms set up by the ministry to mitigate workers' problems amid the coronavirus lockdown. Gangawar shot off a letter to states after it emerged that more than two-thirds of the complaints received by the control rooms pertained to states/union territories.

New Delhi: Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar has requested various State/UT Governments to designate a nodal officer from Labour Department to coordinate with Control Rooms set up by Union Government for addressing issues of the labour/workers in the country in view the lockdown announced to combat COVID-19 pandemic.

Gangawar shot off a letter on Friday, to the labour ministers of states/UTs, saying that "the coordinated efforts of Central and State Governments are required in order to resolve the grievances of the workers."

Union Ministry of Labour and Employment recently set up 20 Control Rooms under the Chief Labour Commissioner on pan India basis due to issues of workers arising in the backdrop of COVID-19.

Initially, Control Rooms were concerned with wage-related grievances related to the central sphere and issues of migrant labours.

However, after operation of Control Rooms in the last few days, it has been observed that out a total 2100 grievances received in the 20 Control Rooms till yesterday, 1400 pertains to various State/UT Governments.

Labour being a concurrent subject, it is important that proper coordination is established with various state/UT governments to resolve the grievances, the minister said.

The Minister also forwarded the list of 20 Central Control Rooms along with names of officers deputed by the Central Government for ready reference.