New Delhi, December 6 (IANS). According to the Central Government, India is laying the foundation for sustainable development in the mining sector based on a system of comprehensive benefits and equitable safeguards. The new labor codes have created a framework that is empowering mine workers through better working hours, health and safety standards, social security and gender-inclusive practices.
India’s mining sector plays an important role in the economic development of the country. This sector provides important raw materials, employment opportunities, export promotion and revenue for the government. With the continuous growth of the Indian economy, the demand for mineral and mining resources is continuously increasing.
According to the official statement, the new labor codes promote ease of doing business in the mining sector and introduce transformative reforms to empower mine workers.
The new labor codes ensure that workers are employed 5 or 6 days a week and get one or two days of weekly off. No worker can be forced to work continuously for more than five hours without a rest interval of at least 30 minutes.
Under the new Labor Code, working hours for underground and above ground workers are uniformly fixed at 8 hours per day and the maximum weekly hours are limited to 48 hours. In addition, overtime is payable at double the normal wage rate.
Employees are now entitled to a free annual health checkup from a qualified medical practitioner; Earlier it used to happen once in five/three years.
The new labor codes ensure that workers are provided with the facility of free health check-up from a qualified medical practitioner every year, which was previously provided once in 3-5 years. Now every employee will be required to obtain appointment letter on appointment to the mine.
Furthermore, women are now allowed to work in all types of work, including in bottomless mines. With their consent, they can work before 6 am and after 7 pm.
–IANS
SKT/
