Cockroach Rising
What began as an irreverent internet joke has acquired the unmistakable weight of a political movement.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday commemorated International Labour Day by reaching out to workers and interacting with women workers, listening to their experiences and challegnes and assuring them of responsive governance to redressive their grievances.
Addressing a gathering of workers, Rekha Gupta said every development milestone in the national capital rests on the tireless efforts and dedication of its workers. “Workers do not merely labour; they lay the foundation of the nation’s progress. The government’s responsibility is not limited to utilizing their workforce, but extends to improving their quality of life, ensuring their safety and creating opportunities for their families,” she added.
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Gupta attended a workers’ felicitation ceremony at Sant Nirankari Mandal in Dhirpur, where she unveiled a series of measures aimed at improving their safety, welfare and ensuring long-term opportunities for them. During the event, workers were honoured for their contribution while setting out a clear roadmap for making their lives more secure, empowered and self-reliant.
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Delhi’s Labour Minister Kapil Mishra, senior officials, representatives of training agencies and thousands of construction workers were present at the event.
Referring to worker welfare initiatives launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gupta noted that platforms such as the e-Shram portal, and other social security schemes have benefited millions of workers across the country. She said her government is strengthening the ecosystem through a single-window portal, on-site registration at labour chowks, enhanced minimum wages, Atal canteens providing nutritious meals at Rs 5, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and mobile health services.
Announcing key decisions, Gupta said the government is focused on reducing financial burden on workers and expanding their access to social security. Registration fee of Rs 20 and renewal fee of Rs 5 for registered building and construction workers in the national capital have been completely waived off.
As an important welfare initiative, she also announced the launch of a ‘Collective Marriage Scheme’, under which eligible couples will receive financial assistance, while the government will bear expenses for tents, food and all essential arrangements for the ceremony.
In a move to streamline service delivery, Gupta informed that the government will establish modern labour chowks and dedicated ‘Shramik Seva Kendras,’ and these centres will be supported by mobile service vans to ensure doorstep delivery of services.
Facilities including drinking water, seating, toilets, first aid, employment linkages, skill development support and grievance redressal will be made available, reducing the need for long queues and ensuring transparency and ease of access.
During the event, safety kits were also provided to 1,000 construction workers, and these included essentials like helmets, safety gloves, masks, reflective jackets and other protective equipment, with a focus on safety of the workers in high-risk construction environments.
Additionally, education kits including school bags, books, stationery along with other material were distributed to 100 children of registered construction workers studying in government schools.
A comprehensive skill development programme under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme was also launched on the occasion, which aims to train around 35,000 workers annually.
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