Amendments to Mining Safety Act to be passed soon: Mallikarjun Kharge, Labour Minister

BANGALORE: A number of amendments to the Mining Safety Act would be passed soon by Parliament to ensure safety of workers and greater accountability of mine owners towards them, Union Labour Minister M Mallikarjun Kharge said on Sunday.

"As many as 32 amendments are being brought to the Act to help the mining workers who face many health hazards and put their life at stake working in the mines," he said addressing the May Day celebrations organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee.

He said the amendments had already been introduced in the Rajya Sabha. "Now these are before the Standing Committee and will be passed soon by Parliament."

As per one of the amendments, "All connected with the mining firm from the owner to an officer is liable to be punished with seven-and-a half years of rigorous imprisonment if found guilty (of violating safety norms)," Kharge said. He said the health insurance scheme Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) targeted to benefit "very poor workers" had been extended to cover workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

"We are also trying to bring domestic workers under RSBY and the proposal is before the cabinet," Kharge said. He said, "Some vested interests are trying their best to dilute the very strong pro-labour laws like ESI, PF Act, Factory Act and Minimum Wages Act, but UPA Government is steadfast and is not allowing it".

"I really do not know why such an important scheme has not been implemented here," Kharge said appealing to the state government to implement it. Taking a swipe at the Yeddyurappa-led BJP Government, he said "it is sad that nobody takes to task either Yeddyurappa or his government which only boasts of schemes about the workers and the poor but has not done anything in reality".