The Hindu Business Line : `Bring headload workers under welfare scheme'

Chennai March 27 Since employment of headload workers was governed by the TN Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Work) Act, 1982, authorities in-charge of ensuring law and order should convene a meeting of rival unions in Erode region with the Labour Officer, and the Deputy Commissioner of Labour, Coimbatore, to ensure implementation of TN Manual Workers' Social Security and Welfare Scheme, 2006, the Madras High Court has ordered.

Allowing a writ petition by Erode Mavatta MGR Sumai Thukkuvor Thozhilalargal Sangam challenging the order dated September 5, 2005 of the Revenue Divisional Officer, Erode, specifying areas where the Sangam and another Union - Amaippu Sara Sumai Thookkuvor Thozhilalargal Munnetra Sangam - should operate and advised them not to interfere in areas operated by other group, Mr Justice K. Chandru suggested that the meeting should examine possibility of bringing workers under the scheme. Once they were covered by the scheme, and were given certificate of employment and identity card, it would be easier to regulate their work. Collectively, the members constituted under scheme could provide rotational employment, instead of fighting over areas of operation. This court, the Judge said, was of the opinion that only coverage under Act and

Scheme could provide lasting solution, and therefore, direction was issued to RDO (first respondent) to convene the meeting.