Balachore - Convener of National Labor Organization (NLO) Baldev Bharti has demanded an end to the financialization while raising slogans in favor of MNREGA workers and METs who are living in conditions of bonded labour. He was meeting MNREGA workers at different places in district Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.
NLO chief Baldev Bharti said that according to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Grant Act-2005, MGNREGA workers are legally entitled to receive the daily wages fixed by the competent authority under the 'Minimum Wages Act-1948'. From date 01/09/2023, the daily wage of unskilled workers has been fixed at 412/-Rs 95 paise from the date 01/09/2023 by the statistics branch of the labor department, the competent authority to fix the wages of the Punjab government. But MNREGA workers in Punjab are getting only Rs 303/- per day fixed by the central government and each worker is losing Rs 109/- 95 paise per day. In the era of inflation, the poor, resourceless workers are going through very bad conditions. Therefore, NLO strongly demands from the Punjab government that the daily wages of MGNREGA workers should be made equal to the wages fixed by the labor department under the 'Minimum Wage' by making their due contribution. Regarding the semi-skilled wages of MGNREGA members, Baldev Bharti said that the daily wages for semi-skilled workers in Punjab has been fixed at 442/- Rs. 95 paise from the date of 01-09-2023.
But the Mates employed for smooth running of MNREGA work who fall in the semi-skilled category are not being paid equivalent daily wages and are losing 139/-Rs 95 paise per day. Therefore, NLO demands that semi-skilled wages should be ensured to MGNREGA mates. Talking about the days of employment of MNREGA workers and mates, Baldev Bharti said that for the sustenance of the families of MNREGA workers who are deprived of means grinding in the mill of poverty, they have been increased from 100 days of employment during the financial year to the whole year i.e. 365 days. Employment should be given. For the convenience of workers during this employment, provision should be made for ESI and PF etc. in addition to paid holidays on the occasion of illness, accident, festivals and national days. Convener of NLO Baldev Bharti said that MGNREGA workers are legally entitled to 10% more wages for working at a distance of more than 5 km from their village. They used to walk from home early in the morning and return late. They have to spend cash from their own pocket for the fare. Due to lack of cash rent, the daily wages of many workers are also broken. But they are not being given 10% more wages for working at a distance of more than 5 km under MGNREGA.
Therefore, the National Labor Organization (NLO) strongly demands that the right to be paid 10% more wages for working at a distance of more than 5 km should be implemented across the state.