HYDERABAD: The State Government is planning to impart training to construction workers in a big way to take advantage of increased demand in the Gulf for this category of labour.

Labour Minister G. Vinod has said his department will formulate a scheme after discussions with his Cabinet colleague P. Venkateswara Rao, holding Higher Education portfolio to see if this training could be offered at ITIs.

Speaking to reporters after reviewing the activities of the Labour & Employment department by Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Monday, the Minister said there was "good demand" in the Gulf and other areas of the world for security guards, construction workers and truck-drivers.

Arrangements were being made to train those who registered their names with Overseas Manpower Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (OMCAP), as drivers at Vijayawada. They would be facilitated to go to the Gulf in February after the training.

Mr. Vinod said the industrial atmosphere in the State was "very conducive now" and a number of investments were coming in following proper maintenance of law and order. Measures, being implemented by the Government, were such that the industrial accident rate fell to 2.2 per cent from 7.2 per cent. For the first time, trade unions were extending cooperation.

He said the Chief Minister would shortly announce an insurance scheme for industrial workers covered by ESI which would allow treatment to them up to Rs.75,000 to one lakh annually at super speciality hospitals like NIMS.

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