Direct cash transfer will aid unorganised workers: Kamal

In an open letter, Kamal noted that more than 95 per cent of our workforce is in the informal sector.

“If we consider the workforce even in the formal sector that does not enjoy standard employee benefits, this could be more than 95 per cent. They are our construction workers, agriculture and manual labourers, fishermen, MSME workers and so on,” the MNM leader said in the letter shared on his official Twitter handle.

“I write this letter to urge the government to not lose sight of the plight of these unsung heroes who toil hard to power our economy and build our nation,” he said.

The ‘Economic Response Taskforce’ set up by the government should address the issue with alacrity, the actor-politician said referring to the task force announced by Modi to decide on a relief package for sectors hit by the coronavirus outbreak.

Kamal said economic experts had suggested a slew of measures, including tax breaks, deferred credits and grants which would benefit the industrialists and employers, which is “essential.”

“But the task force should ensure there is no drop in wages of our labour force. It should also consider direct cash transfer to this most vulnerable populace to enable them tide over this crisis,” he said.

While human lives are in danger and all steps need to be taken to save them, the fear of virus should not be compounded by the fear of loss of livelihood, Kamal added.

“I would once again urge the government to take swift steps to save the livelihood of millions of workforces in our country,” he insisted.