Rayagada. (25/10) :  Focus on Workers’ Rights, Safety and Welfare; 12-Point Charter of Demands to Be Submitted to State Government Rayagada, October 25: The state-level construction workers’ conference of the Bharatiya Nirman Mazdoor Mahasangh was held at Biju Patnaik Auditorium in Rayagada, highlighting the need to protect workers’ rights, ensure workplace safety, provide fair wages and extend the benefits of government welfare schemes.

More than 500 representatives from various districts of Odisha participated in the conference and discussed the issues and legitimate demands of construction workers.

The conference was presided over by Basanta Kumar Sahu, while Sachchidananda Gadnayak, state general secretary of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, inaugurated the programme by lighting the ceremonial lamp. Murari Prasad, secretary of the All India Construction Mazdoor Mahasangh; Sunanda Nath, all-India vice-president,  Arun Kumar Lenka, member of the legal cell and state executive committee of TMS; and Biswranjan Nayak, state general secretary of the Odisha Nirman Mazdoor Mahasangh, were among those present.

Addressing the gathering, the speakers highlighted the significant contribution of construction workers to the country’s development and infrastructure growth. They emphasised that workers engaged in building roads, bridges, houses, commercial structures and industrial establishments often face challenges related to workplace safety, timely wages, social security and financial assistance.

The speakers stressed the need for effective measures to improve workers’ living conditions and ensure access to essential facilities, including safety equipment, healthcare, insurance, educational assistance and other government welfare benefits. They also called for simpler and more transparent implementation of welfare schemes so that eligible workers are not deprived of government assistance.During the conference, a 12-point charter of demands concerning various problems faced by construction workers was presented and discussed. The conference proposed submitting the charter to the state government for necessary action to safeguard workers’ interests and ensure the effective implementation of welfare measures.

The speakers also called for greater unity among workers and improved coordination among labour organisations to raise awareness about workers’ rights and ensure that government benefits reach all eligible beneficiaries.State vice-president Sundar Rao Kadraka, Rayagada district president N. Kiran Kumar and district organisational secretary Anand Rao played key roles in organising and conducting the conference. Representatives from different parts of Odisha shared their experiences and highlighted the problems faced by construction workers in their respective areas. The conference was viewed as an important platform for strengthening the protection of construction workers’ rights and improving their social and economic well-being.