Steps to ensure workers safety

Chennai: As the state slowly recovers from the tragic Mowlivakkam and Tiruvallur building collapses, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced a slew of measures for the welfare of construction workers, including an allocation of Rs 32 lakhs to sensitise construction workers on safety.

Foremost among the measures is the provision of extensive awareness programmes for construction workers on safety and hygiene. Awareness camps would be organised across the state with the budget of Rs 32 lakh, which would be borne by the TN Construction Welfare Board.

The thrust of the awareness drive, to be organised by the directorate of industrial safety and health, would be on sensitising construction workers on safety and hygiene, state rural industries and labour minister P. Mohan announced in the assembly while replying to the demand for grants for the labour department.

The government has also proposed to insure construction workers engaged in modern construction methods by including 15 more construction methods to the existing list of 38. The minister has proposed to appoint two government advocates for the directorate of industrial safety and health to effectively pursue cases against industries violating labour welfare rules.

Among other announcements, the government has also promised 10-year age relaxation to people who pursue certificate course in industrial training institutes by increasing the maximum age limit to 50 years.