CHENNAI: Stating that the livelihood security of a vast majority of the State’s workforce depends on the measures taken by the next government, the Tamil Nadu Unorganised Workers Federation put forth a charter of demands, including adopting resolution against new labour codes, forming district-level grievance redressal mechanisms, ensuring stricter enforcement on minimum wages.
Among the extensive list of demands, main one are a call to pass a resolution in the Assembly opposing the Union government’s new labour codes and to protect the State’s long-standing welfare board system for unorganised workers. The State’s welfare board model must be protected and expanded, and not diluted, it said, calling for higher budgetary allocation to all existing boards, expansion of coverage to left-out sectors, and inclusion of emerging categories such as gig and platform workers.
“The informal workforce constitutes more than 90 per cent of workers and contributes around 65 per cent to State’s and country’s economy. Yet, they continue to be overlooked. The parties must recognise their grievances and give assurance,” said R Geetha, adviser, Unorganised Workers Federation.
The federation has also flagged persistent issues in access, urging the government to simplify registration and renewal processes, decentralise enrolment through camps at the local body level, and ensure that identity cards are issued without delays. It also sought a comprehensive and regularly updated database of such workers to streamline the delivery of benefits. Further, the charter called for the establishment of district-level grievance redressal committees with worker representation to address issues such as denial of benefits, delays, and exclusion errors.
Increase in monthly pensions; revision of assistance amounts under schemes such as maternity, education and marriage support and removal of eligibility restrictions that exclude large sections; universal health coverage for registered workers; strengthened accident insurance with higher compensation; and specific provisions for occupational injuries are also part of the demands.
The federation demanded stricter enforcement of minimum wages, periodic revision of wage rates and measures to check arbitrary dismissal and long working hours in informal sectors.
It urged political parties to incorporate these demands into their election manifesto and commit to time-bound implementation.