Raj Bhavan observed two occasions today – International Labour Day and the Foundation Day of both Maharashtra and Gujarat. Governor Phagu Chauhan was present for both.
For the former, the theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Health and safety at Work’. The programme was organised by the Labour Department.
Addressing the gathering, Chauhan lauded the Labour Department for prioritising the welfare of labourers. He added that, in order to ensure uniformity in the rules and provisions of various outdated labour laws and to make them practical and effective, the central government has amended 26 labour laws into four labour codes – Code of Wages, Industrial Relations’ Code, Social Security Code and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code – with the purpose of simplifying labour laws as well as increase production in the country.
The Governor further added that the Meghalaya government is actively registering unorganised workers under e-labour and ensuring that they get benefits from various schemes created specifically for them. To date, 2.95 lakh beneficiaries have been registered under e-Shram.
Other highlights of the event included felicitation of those involved in the workers’ movement, including Sr Delina Lyngdoh, the state programme coordinator on the National Domestic Workers Movement, Meghalaya region, Richard Thabah, the secretary of the All India Trades Union Congress Meghalaya and Khroo Lamsalanki Pariat, who has been working for the formation of workers’ unions in Jaintia Hills. Prizes were also distributed to winners of the drawing competition organised by the department.
Meanwhile, in celebration of the Foundation Day of Maharashtra and Gujarat, a cultural evening was held today organised by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Shillong.
The cultural evening featured the recitation of poems by renowned poets of the country, including Sunil Jogi, Silbi Passah, Md Khalid Khan and MP Pandey. Videos on the Maharashtra and Gujarat Foundation Day were also screened on the occasion.
Senior government officials and personnel of the armed forces from both Maharashtra and Gujarat as well as the Meghalaya government attended the programme.
