West Bengal Labour Minister Purnendu Basu on Friday said the State witnessed a sharp decline in man-days lost over the last couple of years.

“Our man-days lost have been reduced to 60,000 days in 2011-12 from an average of 76 lakh days between 2007 and 2010. In the current fiscal it is 5,200 days,” the minister told reporters here.

He was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a workshop on contract labour management organised by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI).

Addressing the workshop, Basu said the percentage of contract workers was increasing and industry should ensure social security of such workers.

“The share of contract labour has increased considerably in recent years in the State and it is high time that we examine the contract labour system, which is the cause of regular industrial unrest in the State”, he said.

He also expressed concern over exploitation of workers by the industries in the State. “There are instances of exploitation which have led to unrest among the contract and casual workers. The State government will take necessary action soon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the minister criticised ABG-LDA led Haldia Bulk Terminals’ decision to terminate workers from Haldia port by sending SMSes. He said: “Law does not permit this. I have drawn the Union Labour Minister’s (Mallikarjun Kharge’s) attention in this regard and he has assured us of his intervention.”

ayan.pramanik@thehindu.co.in

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