By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, SEPT 17, 2014: THE first meeting of the newly constituted Central Advisory Committee on Iron Ore Mines, Manganese Ore Mines and Chrome Ore Mines was held at New Delhi today. It was presided over by the Union Minister of Labour & Employment, Mines and Steel, Mr Narendra Singh Tomar and attended by the Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Mr Vishnudeo Sai, and representatives of the Central Trade Unions and employers’ organisations.

The committee recommended a slew of welfare measures for the mine workers. This included a scheme for enhancement of housing subsidy to Rs. 75000/- combined with financial contribution from state government and financial institutions. Officials concerned will prepare the scheme and obtain consent of state governments to collaborate. Support of central trade unions was sought in ensuring that all the union workers were registered under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY) scheme, and they have bank accounts and aadhaar numbers. Health check-up of workers and dependents will be carried out on annual basis. In order to create awareness regarding social security and welfare measures available for mine workers, managements were asked to organize workshops with the help of Labour Welfare departments.