Labour Day: CM announces welfare initiatives for workers
Marking Labour Day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced a number of welfare initiatives for workers at a felicitation ceremony held in Karol Bagh here.
From health and nutrition to childcare and safe working conditions, the Chief Minister unveiled an ambitious roadmap for improving the lives of the city’s labour force, many of whom have migrated from across the country in search of better livelihood opportunities.
“It is the government’s responsibility to take care of all workers who have settled in Delhi from their villages. They are the backbone of this city and the nation,” said Gupta, adding that a “triple engine” governance model was now ensuring direct delivery of welfare benefits to the common man.
Among the key announcements was the rollout of free medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh under the Ayushman Bharat scheme for all registered workers and their families, along with free annual health check-ups. For elderly citizens above 70, the newly launched Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana will cover the cost of treatment, tests and medicines up to the same amount.
To address the lack of childcare options for working mothers, the Delhi Government will establish 500 Palna Kendras across the city. “Poor women workers are forced to choose between their children and income. These centres will be run by trained nurses and anganwadi staff to ensure safety and support for their children,” Gupta said.
In a bid to provide affordable meals, 100 ‘Atal Canteens’ will be set up where labourers can avail of nutritious food at a cost of Rs 5. The government also plans to instal 3,000 water coolers across Delhi to combat the heat. Additionally, an official advisory has been issued to ensure that workers are not made to work between 12 noon and 3 pm during peak heat hours.
The Chief Minister announced that new welfare boards will be established for construction workers, gig workers, domestic helpers, taxi drivers and auto-rickshaw drivers. “Until now, no dedicated system existed for their welfare. This will change now,” she said.
Highlighting the government’s recent move to raise the minimum wage, effective from April 1, Gupta said the labour class would now be given “equal respect, rights and facilities” as any other citizen.
“Delhi’s workers are not just labourers, they are nation builders,” she added.
Labour Minister Kapil Mishra, who was also present at the event, described the ceremony as “historic”, adding that no such event had been organised by the government in the past seven years. “In just two months, we’ve achieved what people were waiting for over 27 years,” he said.
Delhi