Labour Organisations Demand Increased Pay Under MGNREGA Scheme

Good days are expected to arrive soon for daily-wage workers as the PM Narendra Modi-led government gets ready to present its budget. The demand to increase the minimum wage for the daily wage workers and double the workdays under the MGNREGA scheme was raised in a recent meeting that was led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

It is believed that this major development might be included in the budget that is set to be presented in July. Many business and labour organisations held a pre-budget meeting with the Finance Minister on Monday, June 24, where the demands were raised.

The organisations requested to raise the minimum wage for the workers from Rs 15,000 to Rs 26,000, considering the significant rise in the cost of living. Additionally, the members of the organisations also demanded an increase in the number of workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act from 100 days per year to 200 days, which will surely provide more opportunities for daily wage workers to earn their living.

They also demanded to regularise the workers who are involved in other government schemes including Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, and para-teachers. They also asked to make these positions, permanent opportunities and also include a pension provision which will help the workers to live their life after retirement. Adding to it, the organisations also requested to increase the funding for the schemes that are run by the central government.

The organisations also demanded the implementation of MSP for all crops and the recommendations of the Dr MS Swaminathan commission to make the farmers of the country economically stable.

The labour organisations also requested the government to create a social security fund for the farmers including a monthly pension of Rs 9,000. They also mentioned that the daily workers should also be included in this scheme. They suggested that compensation should be provided to markers for losses that often take place due to natural disasters and other reasons.