Palledars being exploited in mandis, alleges Punjab LoP Partap Singh Bajwa

Chandigarh, February 29

In a letter written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa while flagging the issue of low salaries of palledars in mandis, said it was a critical issue affecting the livelihood of thousands of workers across the state.

Paid less than FCI workers

Instead of receiving the rightful payment of Rs 5 per bag, palledars receive mere Rs 2 per bag. They are compelled to contribute 4.5 per cent to the Employees’ Provident Fund and participate in the Employees State Insurance Scheme. In stark contrast, the Food Corporation of India pays its labourers approximately Rs 10 per bag as the rate is linked to the Consumer Price Index — Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of opposition

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“Palledars play an essential role in loading, unloading, stacking and de-stacking food grains, but they are severely underpaid by contractors,” he said, adding that following extensive discussions with representatives of the palledar unions on January 7, 2022, the then Chief Minister had decided to abolish the contractor system.

A committee, chaired by the sub-division manager and comprising members from the Labour Department and the Labour/Palledar Union was formed to ensure that these hardworking labourers would no longer be exploited by contractors. However, with the change of government, this crucial decision has not been implemented.

He claimed that the contractor system persists, perpetuating the exploitation of vulnerable labourers.

“Instead of receiving the rightful payment of Rs 5 per bag, palledars now receive mere Rs 2 per bag. Furthermore, they are compelled to contribute 4.5 per cent to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and participate in the Employees State Insurance Scheme – a burden that statutorily belongs to the contractors. In stark contrast, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) pays its labourers approximately Rs 10 per bag as the rate is linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI),” added LoP Bajwa.