Disability relief hiked for workers

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, NOV. 28. The Parliament has passed the Workmen Compensation (Amendment) bill, seeking to raise the compensation for workmen in case of death or permanent disability, with the Lok Sabha adopting it today. The Rajya Sabha had given its approval in August.

Changes sought to be introduced through this bill include an increase in the minimum compensation from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 80,000 to a workman in the event of his death.

Similarly, the minimum compensation for permanent disability is being enhanced from Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 90,000.

Depending on the age and wage of the worker and his dependents, the maximum compensation payable in the event of death and permanent disability could go up to Rs. 4.56 lakhs and Rs. 5.48 lakhs respectively.

The funeral expenses too are sought to be revised from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 2,500.

All workers have been brought within the ambit of the bill, irrespective of their nature of employment. For the first time, contract labourers will also be provided compensation.

The bill also provides for payment of interest and penalty to the workman or his dependents in the event of delay in the payment of compensation.

Earlier, only interest on the compensation amount was paid to the workers while penalty upto 50 per cent of the compensation, paid by the employer, was credited to the Government.

During his reply to the debate before the Lok Sabha adopted the bill, the Labour Minister, Dr. Satyanaryan Jatiya, described the measure as a limited effort and a beginning by the Government.

He also said the second National Labour Commission was looking into the possibility of framing a comprehensive bill for workers' welfare. The Ministry was also working on the Agricultural Labours Bill.

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