Minister advocates for scheme workers' labor rights in India

The State Labour Minister, V. Sivankutty, has reached out to Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. He is asking for scheme workers to be recognized as full-fledged laborers under national labor laws. These scheme workers include Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and midday meal workers. The Minister believes they should be entitled to minimum wages, provident funds, pensions, maternity benefits, and other rights. Sivankutty argues that due to the permanent nature of their jobs, these workers should have a plan to be absorbed as regular employees. He proposed creating a committee involving state governments, worker organizations, and the Union government to develop policies for the regularization and welfare of these workers. He urged the Union government to provide scheme workers with the legal status and benefits they deserve. The Minister expressed a desire to work together to create a model policy that can be applied across the country.