Now, Vishwakarma Day to be official Labour Day in state

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 27

The state government has decided not to celebrate May 1 as Labour Day. Instead Vishwakarma Day, which falls on October 20 this year, will be celebrated as Labour Day.

“Now, May 1 will not be officially celebrated as Labour Day as it is a legacy of the West. We will celebrate Vishwakarma Day as Labour Day, as it symbolises the Indian tradition and culture,” Labour and Employment Minister Nayab Singh Saini told The Tribune here today.

“To mark Labour Day celebrations, the state government planned to distribute 60,000 sewing machines to women labourers,” Saini said.

Meanwhile, the 14th meeting of the Haryana Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board held under Saini’s chairmanship decided to increase the assistance being given to registered labourers in case of natural death from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. In case of death in accident, assistance of Rs 5 lakh would be paid to registered labourers and Rs 2.5 lakh to non-registered labourers. 

Similarly, the assistance of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh to labourers for disability caused due to accident at work has been increased from Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. Besides, the disability pension to labourers has been increased 10 times from Rs 300 to Rs 3,000 per month.

Saini said smart cards would be issued to registered labourers to allow them easy access to all facilities. Besides, it would be ensured that the financial assistance being given under the Kanyadan Yojana would be given at least three days before the wedding.