Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 24: Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has called for an urgent revision in the ceiling limits of Employee State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (PF). This demand was made during the two-day National office bearers meeting held in Jammu, attended by representatives from various states and union territories.
Key deliberations highlighted that the PF contribution limit of Rs 15,000, set years ago, is now outdated, with minimum wages surpassing this threshold. Similarly, the ESI coverage limit, last revised five years ago, also falls short of minimum wages. The BMS strongly advocates for extending EPF and ESI coverage to all employees, irrespective of their salary scale.
The meeting also addressed labour codes, emphasizing the need for the implementation of the Wage Code and Social Security Code while opposing the Industrial Relations (IR) Code and Occupational Safety, Health, and Working Conditions (OSH) Code due to their perceived anti-worker provisions.
The meeting extensively discussed the pressing issues of workers in Jammu & Kashmir, including the regularization of daily wagers and the revision of honorariums for scheme workers such as Anganwadi, ASHA, and mid-day meal workers, which have remained stagnant for 15 years. It was emphasized that J&K’s honorarium rates should align with other states.
BMS also raised concerns over the administrative control of J&K Bank, which currently falls under the Home Ministry instead of the Finance Ministry. Ravinder Himte and vice president S Mallesam stressed that this anomaly should be corrected for parity with other Indian banks.
The meeting reaffirmed commitment of BMS to addressing the challenges faced by the working class and advancing workers’ rights nationwide.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
