LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT

POLICY NOTE ON LABOUR, FACTORIES, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

DEMAND NO.32

2010 – 2011

Thiru T.M. Anbarasan Minister for Labour

© GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

2010

LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT

POLICY NOTE – 2010 – 2011

Sl. No. CONTENTS PAGES

Introduction 1 – 2

1.

Chapter – I Labour Department A. Industrial Relations B. Enforcement C. Minimum Wages D. Social Security E. Housing Scheme for Beedi Workers F. Weights and Measures

3 – 28

2.

Chapter – II Eradication of Child Labour in Tamil Nadu

29 – 35

3.

Chapter – III Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare Board

36 – 41

4.

Chapter – IV Unorganised Sector 1. Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board 2. Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Welfare Board and other Welfare Boards 3. National Health Insurance Scheme

42 – 53

5.

Chapter – V Tamil Nadu Institute of Labour Studies

54 – 57

6.

Chapter – VI Department of Inspectorate of Factories 1. Regulatory Functions 2. Health, Safety, Training and Development

58 – 72

7.

Chapter – VII A. Employment Wing 1. Performance of Employment Exchanges 2. Activities of Employment Exchanges towards placement of Differently Abled persons 3. Installation of Online Interactive Job Portal 4. Unemployment Assistance Scheme

B. Training Wing 1. Craftsmen Training Scheme 2. Apprentice Training Scheme 3. Industrial Schools 4. Centres of Excellence Scheme 5. Establishment of Tamil Nadu Academy of Construction

73 – 85

86 – 104

8.

Chapter – VIII Overseas Manpower Corporation Limited 1. Physical Performance 2. Video Conferencing Facility 3. Social Security Scheme for Non-Resident Indians

105– 107

9.

Chapter – IX Employees State Insurance Scheme 1. Various Benefit and Insurance Scheme 2. New Area included during 2009–2010 3. Siddha Units 4. Constitution of Hospital Development

Committee 5. Revolving Fund 6. Scheme Activities

108 – 117

10.

Chapter – X Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation 1. Coverage of Establishments 2. Service Delivery to Members under

the Scheme 3. Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 4. Employees’ Deposit Linked

Insurance Scheme 1976 5. Compliance Machinery 6. Public Grievances Handling System

118 – 125

11.

Chapter – XI

The New Schemes brought under Part II Schemes for the year 2010 - 2011

126 – 129

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INTRODUCTION The relationship between industrial and economic development and industrial peace is interdependent. The labour policy of our Government ensures industrial peace and consequently industrial development is promoted. The broad spectrum of the labour policy includes maintenance of cordial labour – management relations, strict enforcement of labour laws to ensure better working and living conditions of the labour, social security, human rights and Employment. These components of the labour policy though appearing to be separate distinct and independent, reinforce each other towards achieving sound labour relations. This approach of the Government towards the maintenance of peaceful industrial relations effectively combines the need for rapid industrial development of the State with an abiding concern for the well being of the work force. This Government have formulated schemes which would ameliorate the living conditions of the worker in the unorganized sector and constituted 15 Welfare Boards to administer the schemes. The Labour and Employment Department is administering matters relating to Industrial Relations, Safety of Workers, Labour Welfare, Employment Exchanges and Technical Training. There are three Heads of Department under this department. The Commissioner of Labour looks after Industrial Relations

and Labour Welfare. The Chief Inspector of Factories deals with safety in factories. The Commissioner of Employment and Training heads two wings. The Employment Wing deals with employment services through a network of Employment Exchanges. The Training Wing deals with technical training through a number of Industrial Training Institutes and similar institutions. Social security is provided in a large measure by two Central Organisation viz. The Employees Provident Fund Organisation and Employees State Insurance Corporation. The State Labour Welfare Board provides welfare services to workers in the organized sector. The Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board and the Tamil Nadu Manual Workers provides welfare services to workers in the unorganized sector. The Tamil Nadu Institute of Labour Studies conducts courses in Labour Management and also special courses for managements, workers and officials on labour laws. The Overseas Manpower Corporation Limited helps to find placements for workers willing to work overseas.

The activities, performances and achievements of the aforesaid organs of Government are elaborately dealt with in the Chapters.

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CHAPTER – I

LABOUR DEPARTMENT

1.1. One of the determinants of a good and healthy industrial climate is sound and enduring labour relations. A healthy, disciplined, productive and enlightened labour force is the first sign-post for investment and industrialization. This Government is committed in maintaining industrial peace and harmony so as to achieve optimum production of goods and services to benefit the people of the State. Given this context, the role of Labour Department becomes extremely crucial and sensitive. The pragmatic approach of the Government towards industrial relations, combining effectively the need for rapid industrial development of the State and well being of the work force has lead to healthy industrial climate in this State. The policy of the Government is to have special focus on ‘Labour Welfare’ and in particular the unorganized sector. To ensure their welfare, Government have constituted separate welfare boards for certain employments in this sector. 1.2. This Department also looks after the interest of each and every citizen who is a consumer in one way or another. To ensure protection to the consumers, Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act,

1985 and Standards of Weights and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977 are effectively enforced by this Department. 1.3. The Department is enforcing effectively the Labour Legislations with a noble task of protecting the organized and unorganized workers. 1.4. Thus, the Labour Department enforces a plethora of labour legislations to protect the rights and the welfare of the workers in organized and unorganized sectors and protection of consumer interest under the administrative control of Commissioner of Labour. The subjects relating to eradication of Child Labour in this State, Integrated Housing Scheme for Beedi Workers and the functions of various Unorganized Welfare Boards are being monitored by the Additional Commissioner of Labour. Zonal Joint Commissioners of Labour are functioning in Chennai, Tiruchy, Madurai, Coimbatore and Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour are in Chennai, Tiruchy, Dindugul, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Salem, Coimbatore and Coonoor to enforce various labour laws to promote industrial relations in their respective jurisdictions.

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A. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 1.5. Maintenance of industrial peace is essential for achieving the objectives of growth and prosperity. Progressive management and responsible labour behaviour are the prerequisites for harmonious industrial relations. There should, therefore, be the closest collaborations at all levels between the employer and the employees, for increased productions, for improvement of quality and reduction of cost. Machinery and procedure for resolving of all disputes between management and workers is laid down by the Industrial Disputes Act 1947 and rules under the Act. Role of the Labour Department is to aid in maintaining a harmonious relationship between labour and management so that there is a conducive atmosphere for achieving the objective of growth and prosperity for both the employer and the workers. The Conciliation Officers of the Labour Department achieve this important task through a delicate mechanism of intervention at the appropriate time to conciliate till industrial disputes. Officers of the Labour Department have effectively intervened to end many strikes and lock-outs. 1.6. During the year 2009, there was an appreciable decline in the loss of man-days due to strikes and lock-outs when compared with the year 2008, as follows:-

YEAR STRIKES LOCKOUTS TOTAL NO. OF MANDAYS LOST

2008 56 30 3,87,789

2009 36 13 2,10,231 1.7. Most of the strikes and lock-outs were caused mainly due to financial matters and not on the part of Labourers. However certain strikes and lock-outs were settled during the year. The total number of strikes and lock-outs settled during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 were 46 and 24 respectively (including previous pendency). 1.8. The industrial disputes relating to the following major industrial establishments have been settled due to conciliatory efforts taken by the conciliation officers of this department for the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010. 1. National Textiles Corporation 2. Tamil Nadu Electricity Board 3. Tannery Industries in Tamil Nadu 4. Arasu Rubber Corporation, Nagercoil 5. Ave Tech Ltd., Hosur 6. On Load Gears, Ambattur 7. M M Forgings, Viralimalai, Pudukottai

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1.9. During the period, the Conciliation Officers took prompt action to settle disputes relating to bonus. As a result, most of the issues relating to bonus were solved amicably in the minimum possible time and the bonus period went off peacefully. LABOUR COURTS AND INDUSTRIAL TRIBUNAL 1.10. Labour Courts adjudicate on matters specified in the Second Schedule to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. There are 12 Labour Courts in the State. 1.11. There is also an Industrial Tribunal with its Head quarters at Chennai. The Industrial Tribunal can adjudicate on matters specified in the Second and Third Schedule to the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. STATE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD 1.12. The State Labour Advisory Board is headed by Hon’ble Minister for Labour. It is a Tripartite high level committee consisting of the representatives of the Employers, Trade Unions and Government Officials. This Board recommends to the Government on the action to be taken on various labour problems, amendments to Act and Rules. The 65th and 66th Meeting were held on 16.02.2009 and 21.01.2010 respectively.

GOOD INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS AWARD SCHEME 1.13. The Government have reconstituted the Good Industrial Relations Award Committee under the Chairmanship of a retired High Court Judge, for awarding the prizes to best managements and trade unions. The Committee has selected prize winners among the applications received from Employers and Trade Unions for the year 2005, 2006 and 2007. The award function was held in Chennai on 05.02.2010 by the Hon’ble Minister for Labour. E-GOVERNANCE 1.14. The Government have proposed to computerize Labour Department for automating core functions by means of application software. The Software development has been undertaken by ELCOT to computerize the following primary functions of this Department.

(1) Enforcement Management (2) H.R. Management (3) Section Management (4) Budgeting and Accounting (5) Case Management

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B. ENFORCEMENT 1.15. With growth in the dimensions and variety of industrial activity, the task of labour administration has become increasingly difficult. It calls for comprehension, sensitivity, expedition and efficiency at every stage. To enable industries to be competitive in the present context, and at the same time to protect the rights of workers, labour administration has to provide an effective industrial relations system. On the enforcement side, labour administration has to ensure effective enforcement of labour laws. Since Independence, in addition to Industrial Disputes Act, a number of other laws have been enacted by Parliament and the State Legislature to protect rights of workers and provide for their welfare. Many of the laws are being enforced by the Labour Department. They are briefly mentioned below:- THE TAMILNADU SHOPS AND ESTABLISHMENTS ACT, 1947 1.16. The object of the Act is to regulate the employment of workers in Shops and Commercial Establishments. The Regional Deputy Commissioners are notified as appellate authorities under this Act. 1.17. The total number of Shops and establishments in the State is 3,62,227. 3,19,130 inspections were made

during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 and 29,616 cases were disposed, out of which 29,505 cases were compounded and a sum of Rs.18,30,688/- was realized by the Department. Remaining 111 cases were disposed by Courts and Rs.12,065/- was levied as fine. 112 appeals were disposed by the appellate authorities. THE TAMILNADU CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS ACT, 1958 1.18. This Act regulates the employment of workers in catering Establishments. The total number of catering establishments in the State is 31,141. A sum of Rs.9,91,745/- has been collected as registration fee from the employers of catering establishments. 41,344 inspections were made during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 and 3,811 cases were compounded and a sum of Rs.2,68,605/- was collected as compounding fee and a sum of Rs.1,575/- was levied as fine by the Courts in 39 cases. THE TAMILNADU INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS (NATIONAL AND FESTIVAL HOLIDAYS) ACT, 1958 1.19 This Act has been enacted to provide for the grant of National and Festival Holidays to the employees in the establishments in the State. 1,06,408 inspections were made during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010

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and 8,716 cases were disposed off out of which 8,700 cases were compounded and a sum of Rs.5,06,110/- was collected as compounding fee. Remaining 16 cases were disposed off by the Courts and a sum of Rs.1,060/- was levied as fine. THE PAYMENT OF WAGES ACT, 1936 1.20. The object of this Act is to ensure the prompt payment of wages to the employees and to avoid unauthorized deductions from their wages. The Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour have been notified as authorities to hear and decide the claims under this Act. 205 claims were disposed off and a sum of Rs.33,15,299/- was ordered to be paid as wages to the claimants. 31,308 inspections were made during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 by the enforcement officers of this department. CONTRACT LABOUR (REGULATION AND ABOLITION) ACT, 1970 1.21. The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act was enacted with an object to regulate the employment of contract labour in certain establishments and to abolish this system in certain circumstances and for matters concerned therewith. The State Advisory Contract Labour Board is a statutory tripartite committee advises the

Government on such matters, arising out of the administration of this Act. 1.22. The Assistant Commissioner of Labour in the office of the Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour are notified as Registering Officers and the Inspectors of Labour are notified as Licensing Officer. 295 establishments were registered as Principal Employers and licences were issued to 492 contractors. A sum of Rs.5,60,143/- was collected by way of registration fee and licence fee. 3,202 inspections were made and 144 cases were disposed off by Courts and a sum of Rs.1,45,300/- was collected as fine amount. THE INTER-STATE MIGRANT WORKMEN (REGULATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) ACT, 1979 1.23. The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 was enacted with an object to regulate the employment of migrant workers and their conditions of service. 1.24. The Assistant Commissioner of Labour in the office of the Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour are notified as Registering Officers and the Inspectors of Labour are notified as Licensing Officer.

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1.25. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, the registration certificates were issued to 65 establishments and contract licenses were issued to 114 contractors. A sum of Rs.35,580/- were collected by way of registration fee and licence fee. 114 inspections were made and 21 cases were disposed off by Courts and a sum of Rs.47,000/- was collected as fine amount. THE TAMILNADU INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENT (CONFERMENT OF PERMANENT STATUS TO WORKMEN ) ACT, 1981 1.26. The prime object of this Act is to provide for the Conferment of Permanent Status to Workmen in Industrial establishments. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 3,306 inspections were made and 158 applications were disposed off under this Act. 1,408 workers were benefited. THE MOTOR TRANSPORT WORKERS ACT, 1961 1.27. The number of motor transport undertakings registered upto 31.03.2010 is 2,109. The number of workers employed in the said undertakings are 1,19,377. A sum of Rs.3,50,817/- was collected by way of registration fee and other charges. During the period, 5,113 inspections were made. 200 cases were disposed

off by Courts after realization of fine amount of Rs.79,450/-. THE WORKING JOURNALISTS AND OTHER NEWSPAPER EMPLOYEES (CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) ACT, 1955 1.28. This Act has been passed to regulate the conditions of service of working journalists and other persons employed in Newspaper Establishments. The Government have constituted a Tripartite Committee to monitor the implementation of the recommendation of the Manisana Wage Board to the Workers. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 90 inspections have been made by the Enforcement officers. THE INDUSTRIAL EMPLOYMENT (STANDING ORDERS) ACT, 1946 1.29. This Act has been enacted to require employers in Industrial Establishments to define conditions of employment under them and to make the said conditions known to workmen. The Zonal Joint Commissioners of Labour have been notified as Certifying Officers under this Act. During the year, 374 Industrial Establishments were certified.

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THE TRADE UNIONS ACT, 1926 1.30. This Act has been enacted to provide for the registration of trade unions. The Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour have been notified as Additional Registrar of Trade Unions to register the Trade Unions. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 534 Trade Unions were registered and a sum of Rs.78,900/- was collected as registration and Rs.3,725/- as amendment fees. 11,583 trade unions were registered upto the period of 31.03.2010. THE PLANTATIONS LABOUR ACT, 1951 1.31. This Act and Rules provides for the welfare of the Plantation Labour and to regulate the conditions of work in plantations and they are applicable to any land used or intended to be used for the growing of Coffee, Tea, Rubber and Cardamom with an extent of 5 hectares or more and in which 15 or more persons are employed. This Act also provides free housing to workers, free medical treatment to workers and their families, provision of protective clothing, drinking water, etc. This Act and allied Rules are enforced by 10 Inspectors of Plantations and 2 Assistant Surgeons (Plantations). The Joint Commissioner of Labour (Administration) is the Chief Inspector of Plantations under the administrative control of the Commissioner of Labour.

1.32. The total plantation area in Tamil Nadu is 61,282 hectares and the total number of workers is 74,660 (28,349 men and 46,311 women). 3,023 inspections were made during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 51 cases were disposed by Courts and a sum of Rs.15,800/- was levied as fine by Courts. HOUSING FACILITIES 1.33. The Plantations Labour Act provides for the construction of houses by the employer for the benefit and use of plantation workers and no rent is charged by the employer for the housing accommodation provided. In Tamil Nadu, so far 43,616 houses have been constructed for the plantation workers. MEDICAL FACILITIES 1.34. Every employer of plantation shall provide medical facilities for the workers and their families. The Assistant Surgeon (Plantations) are responsible for the effective functioning of the hospitals and dispensaries. There are 149 dispensaries and group dispensaries, 29 garden hospitals and 4 group garden hospitals in Tamil Nadu.

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THE PLANTATION LABOUR HOUSING ADVISORY BOARD AND PLANTATIONS LABOUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1.35. The Plantation Labour Housing Advisory Board is a statutory tripartite committee which ensures the provision of proper housing facilities to Plantation worker. The Plantations Labour Advisory Committee is also a tripartite committee which deals with the implementation of this Act and Rules.

C. MINIMUM WAGES 1.36. Minimum Wages Act, 1948 is a landmark enactment. Ensuring Payment of Minimum Wages is nothing but ensuring decent human living. One can say that minimum wage is synonymous with subsistence wage, deprivation of which will take away the element of humanism from the life of living human beings. As many as 94 Employments have been included in the schedule to the Minimum Wages Act. Under the Act, the Government have to fix/revise minimum rates of wages by following committee method or Notification Method, as the case may be. The Government have issued orders that the minimum rates of wages for the scheduled employments under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 shall be revised once in 4 years for which the process shall start at the end of the third year from the date of Initial

Fixation/last revision. In fixing/revising minimum wages, the Government have made it a policy to fix Dearness Allowance linked to cost of living Index called Variable Dearness Allowance in addition to Basic Wages, so as to neutralize the cost of living. 1.37. The present policy of the Central Government is that in any industry, the lowest wage per day should not be less than the National Floor Level Minimum Wages of Rs.100/- with effect from 01.11.2009. 1.38. During the period, the following employments were included in Part-1 of the Schedule to the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. 1. Employment in Chemical Industry 2. Employment in Distillery Industry 1.39. The Minimum Rates of wages for the Employment in Distribution of Liquid Petroleum Gas Cylinders were fixed first time during the year. 1.40. The minimum rates of wages were revised for the following employments.

1. Employment in Coffee Curing Works 2. Employment in Silk Twisting Industry

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3. Employment in Loading and Unloading Operations in markets, shandies and other like places.

4. Employment in Cotton Ginning, pressing and Cotton Waste Industry

5. Employment in Aerated Water Manufactory 6. Employment in Coconut Peeling 7. Employment in Granite Industry 8. Employment in Sago Industry 9. Employment in Hospitals and Nursing Homes

(Other than Government and Employees State Insurance Hospitals and Dispensaries)

10. Employment in Tin Container Manufactory 11. Employment in Laundries and Washing Clothes

(including Woolen) 12. Employment in Tobacco Industry (Snuff Industry) 13. Employment in Gold and Silver articles

Manufactory 14. Employment in Motion Picture Industry (including

Production, Distribution and Publicity) 15. Employment in Public Motor Transport 16. Employment in Agriculture and works allied to

agriculture 17. Employment in Cinema Industry

1.41. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, preliminary notifications were issued by the Government for revising of minimum rates of wages for the following employments.

1. Employment in Neera Tapping 2. Employment in Paper and other incidental

processes connected with handmade paper Industry

3. Employment in Gunny Industry 4. Employment in Fire Works Manufactory 5. Employment in Leather Goods Manufactory 6. Employment in Sericulture 7. Employment in Shops and Commercial

Establishments 8. Employment in Salt Pans 9. Employment in Hotels and Restaurants

10. Employment in Chemical Fertilizer Industry 11. Employment in Match Manufactory 12. Employment in Electronic Industry 13. Employment in Forestry

1.42. During the year 2009, the Advisory Committee was constituted for revising the minimum rates of wages for the Employment in Cashew nut Industry. 1.43. During the year 2009, the Advisory Committee was constituted for fixing the minimum rates of wages for the following employments.

1. Employment in Sculpture in Stone and other materials 2. Employment in Domestic Works

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1.44. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, the enforcement officers of this Department had carried out 1,36,317 inspections. Out of 222 cases, a sum of Rs.53,750/- has been levied as fine in 103 cases. 1.45. The Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour have been notified as Authorities to hear the claim petitions under Section 20(1) of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. During the period, 1,055 claim petitions were filed. 987 claim petitions were disposed off (including the previous pending) and the total amount ordered in these claim petitions was Rs.2,73,05,870/- and 7,977 workers were benefited.

D. SOCIAL SECURITY 1.46. The following Acts are also implemented to safeguard the social security of the workers:- THE PAYMENT OF GRATUITY ACT, 1972 1.47. This Act provides for payment of gratuity to the employees on their retirement or on their termination of employment, if he / she had put in a continuous service for not less than five years. Gratuity is also paid on the death or disablement due to accident or disease.

1.48. The Assistant Commissioners of Labour in the office of the Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour and the Zonal Joint Commissioners of Labour have been notified as Controlling Authority and Appellate Authority respectively under this Act. 1.49. During the period, 2,093 claims were disposed off and a sum of Rs.2,22,48,528/- was ordered to be paid to the claimants and 171 appeals were disposed and a sum of Rs.5,82,450/- was ordered to be paid to the appellants by the appellate authorities. THE PAYMENT OF BONUS ACT, 1965 1.50. This Act applies to persons employed in every factory and establishment where 10 or more persons are employed. The establishments covered under the Act shall continue to pay bonus even if the number of employees subsequently fall below 10. A minimum bonus of 8.33% has to be paid irrespective of losses incurred. The Act has prescribed a formula for calculating the admissible bonus when a company makes profit. Every employee drawing salary / wages not exceeding Rs.10,000/- per month, who has worked for not less than 30 days in an accounting year was eligible for bonus. Maximum bonus payable under the Act is 20%.

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THE MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT, 1961 1.51. The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 regulates the employment of women during maternity period. The Act provides for maternity benefits like 12 weeks leave with wage for childbirth i.e. 6 weeks before delivery and 6 weeks after delivery, one-month medical leave on Medical Certificate, 6 weeks leave for miscarriage etc., This Act also provides for the payment of medical bonus, if no pre-natal and post-natal care is provided by the employer at free of cost. 12,200 inspections were made during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 and 62 cases were disposed off and sum of Rs.15,000/- was imposed as fine. THE EQUAL REMUNERATION ACT, 1976 1.52. The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 is an Act to provide for the payment of Equal Remuneration to men and women workers for the prevention of discrimination on the ground of sex, against women in the matter of employment. 1.53. The Equal Remuneration Advisory Committee headed by the Secretary to Government, Labour and Employment Department is a Tripartite Committee is functioning under this Act.

1.54. 12,169 inspections were conducted by the enforcement officers during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010. THE TAMILNADU PAYMENT OF SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCE ACT, 1981 1.55. This Act has been enacted to make it a statutory obligation on the part of the employer to pay subsistence allowance to the employees during the period of their suspension. The Assistant Commissioners of Labour in the office of the Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour and the Regional Deputy Commissioners of Labour have been notified as Authorities and Appellate Authorities respectively under this Act. 299 claims were disposed off under this Act during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 and a sum of Rs.71,42,856/- was ordered to be paid to the claimants and 40 appeals were disposed and a sum of Rs.2,70,480/- was ordered to be paid to the appellants by the appellate authorities. THE WORKMEN’S COMPENSATION ACT, 1923 1.56. This Act has been enacted to provide for compensation to workers in the event of loss of earning capacity due to accident in the course of their employment. The Regional Deputy Commissioners of

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Labour have been notified as Commissioners to hear and decide the claims under this Act. 1.57. The compensation amount awarded is to be deposited by the employers or on their behalf and disbursement to be made to the beneficiaries. In case of default in depositing the amount awarded, the Deputy Commissioner of Labour are taking action to collect the amount through District Collectors under Revenue Recovery Act. 1.58. 3,356 cases were disposed off during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2009 and a sum of Rs.30,58,43,865/- was ordered to be paid as compensation to the claimants.

E. HOUSING SCHEME FOR BEEDI WORKERS BEEDI AND CIGAR WORKERS (CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT) ACT, 1966 1.59. The welfare of Beedi workers, most of whom are below poverty line, is engaging the attention of this department and various benefits are provided to them by welfare legislations. 8,336 industrial workers and 2,31,707 home workers are working in 1,945 Beedi establishments in this State. 4,765 inspections were

made during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010. 387 cases were disposed off by Courts and a sum of Rs.92,145/- was levied as fine. A sum of Rs.4,89,503/- has been collected as license fees. INTEGRATED BEEDI WORKERS’ HOUSING SCHEME 1.60. To uplift the socio-economic conditions of the beedi workers in Tamil Nadu the “Revised Integrated Housing Scheme for Beedi Workers, 2007” of the Government of India is being implemented. The above scheme has come into force with effect from 01.04.2007. 1.61. Accordingly the Beedi Workers should have his own land and construct the House by himself. The cost of the house is Rs.45,000/-, out of which Government of India subsidy is for Rs.40,000/- and State subsidy for Rs.5,000/-. 1.62. During the financial year 2009 - 2010, for the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 a sum of Rs.11,80,000/- has been released as State subsidy for 236 beneficiaries.

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F. WEIGHTS AND MEASURES THE STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (ENFORCEMENT) ACT,1985 1.63. The Deputy Commissioner of Labour (Inspections), Chennai has been notified as ‘Controller of Legal Meteorology’ for the entire State of Tamil Nadu. The Controller of Legal Meteorology and his field officers are entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing Standards of Weights and Measures (Enforcement) Act, 1985 and Standards of Weight and Measures (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 1977. Use of weights and measures other than the Standard Weights and Measures and unstamped commercial weights and measures are prohibited in trade or business. 1.64. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, a sum of Rs.33,950/- has been collected as license fee and Rs.14,73,95,073/- has been collected as Stamping fee. 4,27,792 inspections were made. Total number of cases disposed off during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 is 79,939. Out of which 79,922 cases were compounded and Rs.43,23,035/- has been collected as compounding fee. 17 cases were disposed off by Courts and a sum of Rs.8,950/- was levied as fine.

THE STANDARDS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES (PACKAGED COMMODITIES) RULES,1977 1.65. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, a sum of Rs.1,75,500/- has been collected as Registration fee. 1,84,154 inspections were made. 12,169 cases were compounded and a sum of Rs.18,54,665/- was collected by the department as compounding fee.

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CHAPTER – II

ERADICATION OF CHILD LABOUR IN TAMIL NADU 2.1. With the goal of making the State ‘Child Labour Free’ , Tamil Nadu Government have been taking various proactive steps towards eradication of Child Labour in the State and have chalked out an action plan for this purpose. 2.2. Enforcement is one of the important strategies of the action plan for eradication of child labour. In order to strengthen the enforcement a District Level Task Force is functioning in every District under the chairmanship of the District Collector. The under mentioned statutes containing provisions prohibiting employment of children are implemented in the State by the Inspectors of Labour and Inspectors of Factories The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986. The Factories Act, 1948. The Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961. The Beedi and Cigar Workers (Conditions of

Employment) Act, 1966. The Tamil Nadu Shops and Establishments Act, 1947. The Tamil Nadu Catering Establishments Act, 1958.

2.3. 2,34,521 establishments have been inspected during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 through regular, special and surprise inspections including the raids conducted by the teams formed under the District Level Task Force. 185 violations were noticed, 98 prosecutions were lodged. 202 cases ended in conviction (which includes those filed in previous years) and a fine of Rs.18,06,025/- has been collected. Imprisonment was imposed upto 6 months in 2 cases. Out of 197 children were rescued from work, 81 children were enrolled in Special Schools, 1 child was admitted in a Shelter Home and 115 children were handed over to parents with necessary advise. AWARENESS GENERATION 2.4. Every year June 12 is observed as Anti Child Labour Day to create awareness among the public. Mainstreamed students from National Child Labour Project Special schools who scored high marks in the 10th and 12th standard public examinations, the best special school teachers, the best local bodies and the best collector were felicitated in recognition of their work in the field of eradication of child labour in a state level function presided by the Hon’ble Minister for Labour on 12.06.2009 in Chennai.

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2.5. Anti Child labour advertisement boards sponsored by MTS Mobile company were erected in 250 places at Chennai city and at 500 places throughout Tamil Nadu during the month of April 2009. LIC also had sponsored erection of 50 such hoardings at Chennai city in the month of August 2009. 2.6. The Child Labour Monitoring cell participated in the event called ‘My Kids Expo’ in October 2009 and distributed ‘Stop Child Labour’ caps and book marks to visitors of the exhibition. 2.7. A State level Sticker Campaign was organized involving School students from 09.11.2009 to 13.11.2009 in all District Headquarters. Also, a Sticker Campaign was conducted involving Corporation school children in 10 zones of Corporation of Chennai on 10.11.2009. 2.8. Labour Department organaized a state level function on 13.11.2009 at Chennai to celebrate Children’s Day. Hon’ble Minister for Labour, Mayor of Chennai Corporation, Principal Secretary to Government, Labour and Employment and other Labour Department officials participated in this programme. More than one thousand school children participated in the programme. Theatre performance by Government Boys Home children and Karunalaya NCLP Special School children and cultural

programmes by NCLP special school children from Erode and Tirunelveli districts were the special events of the day. 2.9. A Human Chain was organized from Anna Nagar in Thirumangalam in coordination with ‘UNICEF’ and ‘Save the Children’ (Non-Government Organisation) on 29.03.2010 involving 2,000 National Social Service Students, 500 Self Help Group members, Chennai National Child Labour Project and Labour and Factories Department officials. The Hon’ble Minister for Labour and the Mayor of Chennai Corporation participated in the programme. An awareness meeting was conducted and pamphlets were distributed to public from 10 vending machines. TRAININGS 2.10. In order to improve life skills of special school children, ‘Life Skill Training’ was initially imparted to all special school teachers of NCLP districts with financial support of International Labour Organisation and UNICEF. Life skill modules was printed and distributed to all special schools. 2.11. State level and District level trainings in Science experiments were conducted for Special school teachers of National Child Labour Districts by AID INDIA in

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8 batches in the month of January 2009 with the support of UNICEF to help them teach science lessons in a simple way to the Special School children and to keep the classrooms interesting and active. All special schools were provided with an “Eurekha Science Kit” by UNICEF. 2.12. Trainings in Mathematics was imparted to NCLP Special School teachers in 36 batches at 8 training centres with the financial support of UNICEF in August 2009. Maths kit was provided to all schools by UNICEF. 2.13. One Day Workshop on “Child Rights and Child Labour Enactments” for Judicial Officers, Asst. Public Prosecutors, Medical Officers, Inspectors of Labour and Inspectors of Factories was conducted in association with Tamil Nadu State Judicial Academy on 19.09.2009. 2.14. Craft training was conducted at Don Bosco Anbu Illam, Chennai from 22.10.2009 to 24.10.2009 for NCLP Special School children. 2.15. Theatre training was conducted at Government Boys Home, Royapuram, Chennai for 125 children from 04.11.2009 to 11.11.2009. 2.16. A Capacity Building Training was conducted on 18.03.2010 and 19.03.2010 for National Child Labour Project Directors, Field Officers and Accountants.

2.17. A Training for Teaching English easily is going to be conducted for NCLP Special School teachers shortly. National Child Labour Project 2.18. National Child Labour Project is functioning in 17 Districts and they are Chennai, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Dindugul, Erode, Krishnagiri, Salem, Thoothukkudi, Theni, Tirunelveli, Trichy, Vellore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Namakkal, Virudhunagar, and Tiruvallur Districts. 76,826 Children have been mainstreamed into formal schools from the time of inception. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 4,101 children have been mainstreamed into regular schools. 17,067 children who are relieved from labour force are presently studying in 477 special schools. Nutritious meal is provided to the students of the special schools. A stipend of Rs.100/- per month, Free Medical Check up, Free Bus Pass and Free Uniforms are provided to all special school children. Pre Vocational Training is also imparted to them. CHILD LABOUR IN COTTON INDUSTRY 2.19. UNICEF will undertake a Comprehensive Child Protection Project to improve the quality of life for children working in Cotton industry in the Districts of Salem and Dharmapuri during the next 5 years. This Project focuses on working children up to 14 years of age in the Cotton

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and Cotton seed growing occupations. The project inaugurated on 04.11.2009 is monitored by the Commissioner of Labour. MIGRANT CHILD LABOUR 2.20. A Rapid Assessment survey on migrant child labour in construction industry in Chennai, Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram Districts and in other sectors like Brick kilns, Rice mill and quarries have been completed. A State level Stake holders Workshop on Migrant Child Labour has been organized on 27th and 28th of January 2010 to draw out an Action Plan for Rehabilitation of Migrant Child Labour in Tamil Nadu.

CHAPTER – III

TAMIL NADU LABOUR WELFARE BOARD 3.1. In order to implement various labour welfare schemes, the Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare Board is receiving contributions from the employers of the Factories, Motor Transport Undertakings, Plantations, Shops, Commercial establishments and Catering Establishments. The employees of the above establishments are contributing Rs.7/- and employers are contributing Rs.14/- per worker for each year. The Government of Tamil Nadu is also contributing equal to the amount of employees contribution. The Board also receives fine amount imposed by the courts and also compounding fees collected by the Labour department against the employers for violation of Labour Acts and Rules. 3.2. The following are the welfare schemes implemented by the Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare Board. 3.3. The Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare Board is running 71 Labour Welfare Centres consisting of Tailoring Centres, Pre-schools and Reading Rooms in the State.

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TAILORING CENTRES 3.4. In all the Labour Welfare Centres tailoring classes are conducted for the benefit of wife, unmarried daughter and sister of the workers. The duration of this course is one year. During the training period a sum of Rs.150/- is given to each trainee as monthly stipend, the examination fee and bus fare are also borne by the Board. Trainee who secures first rank in Lower and Higher grades examination in respect of each centre is given sewing machine as prize. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 5,088 were given training and 299 girl students were given sewing machine as prize and a sum of Rs.59,80,268/- has been spent for this purpose. PRE SCHOOLS 3.5. Children of workers in the age group of 2 to 5 are admitted in the Pre-schools. Nutritious mid-day meals and milk are provided daily. The children are given eggs thrice in a week and plantains twice in a week. Two sets of Terri-cotton uniform are also supplied to the children once in a year. The children are also undergoing Medical Checkup by doctors twice in a month. Besides, basic education is also imparted by trained Balasevikas. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 2,691 children have been admitted and a sum of Rs.20,47,389/- has been spent for this purpose.

READING ROOMS

3.6. Two Tamil weekly magazines, two Tamil Dailies and Uzhaippavar Ulagam monthly magazine are supplied in the Reading Rooms for the benefit of workers. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 7,100 were benefitted and a sum of Rs.1,68,491/- has been spent for this purpose.

SCHOLARSHIP

3.7. For pursuing higher studies worker’s children are given scholarship. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, a sum of Rs.7,56,240/- has been sanctioned to 458 beneficiaries.

EDUCATION INCENTIVE

3.8. Education incentive has been rewarding with Cash Award of Rs.1,000/-, Rs.500/- and Rs.250/- to students who come first, second and third in 10th Standard and 12th Standard in Public Examinations in each education district every year. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, a sum of Rs.95,500/- has been paid to 113 worker’s children as Educational incentive.

BOOK ALLOWANCE AND TYPEWRITING / SHORTHAND SCHEME

3.9. The Board is also giving Book Allowance to children of worker’s for pursuing their studies from the

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level of Higher Secondary to Master Degree Courses. Similarly Worker’s children who have passed typewriting / shorthand are paid Typewriting / Shorthand tuition fees. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, a sum of Rs.63,118/- has been sanctioned to 135 children. ASSISTANCE FOR BASIC COMPUTER TRAINING 3.10. Cash assistance of Rs.1,000/- is being given to 5 employees / dependants in each Revenue District for Basic computer training. SPECTACLES 3.11. Reimbursement of cost of Spectacles upto Rs.500/- is also allowed to workers. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 751 workers were benefited and a sum of Rs.2,87,477/- has been spent for this purpose. HEARING AID, THREE WHEELER AND ARTIFICIAL LIMBS 3.12. Reimbursement of cost of Hearing Aids up to Rs.1,000/- are allowed to differently able workers and their children. Similarly cost of artificial limbs are also reimbursed and three wheelers are supplied to the differently able workers and their children.

FUNERAL EXPENSES 3.13. When a worker dies in harness, his dependant is paid Rs.2000/- towards funeral expenses. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, a sum of Rs.2,41,500/- has been sanctioned to 150 Legal heirs of the workers. T.B. WARDS 3.14. Separate T.B. Wards in State Government Hospitals in Tambaram, Asaripallam, Tirupur, Austinpatti and Kilpennathur are being maintained by the Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare Board for the benefit of the workers. HOLIDAY HOMES 3.15. The Tamil Nadu Labour Welfare Board has constructed Holiday Homes in Mamallapuram, Courtallam, and Valparai with a total capacity for stay of 167 workers including their family members. At Chennai a rest house (Jeeva Illam) with a capacity for stay of 62 workers representatives in DMS Campus at Teynampet has been constructed. These facilities are available on nominal rent. A total of 15,914 workers have availed these facilities during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010.

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UZHAIPPAVAR ULAGAM MAGAZINE 3.16. A monthly magazine “Uzhaippavar Ulagam” is published by the Board which consists of Court Judgments, Labour Acts, Question and Answers, Consumer Price Index for the benefit of the workers, employers and also the Public. At present 4,573 members have subscribed to this magazine and a sum of Rs.3,50,655/- has been spent for publishing this magazine. 3.17. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, a sum of Rs.1,06,12,700/- has been spent for various welfare schemes of the Board and 37,285 of beneficiaries were benefited.

CHAPTER – IV

UNORGANISED SECTOR

1. TAMIL NADU CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WELFARE BOARD

4.1. Unorganised sector is about 93% component of the total Labour force. Government is very much committed to uplift their life status of those workers. 4.2. Government in the year 1982, enacted the Tamil Nadu Manual Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Work) Act, 1982 a comprehensive legislation for the workers in the Unorganised Sector, to regulate the employment of manual workers employed in certain employments in this State. 4.3. The Government established the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board for the Welfare of Construction Workers engaged in construction industry in the year 1994. The workers engaged in 38 categories of work in the construction industry may register with this Board to avail the scheme benefits. 4.4. There is no Registration and Renewal Fee from 01.09.2006.

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4.5. The number of workers Registered from 1995 to 31.03.2010 is 19,88,882. 4.6. From 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, a sum of Rs.73,41,09,394/- has been received as contribution.

SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED BY THE BOARD

Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme Rs.

A. Accident Death 1,00,000/-

(i) Both Hands

(ii) Both Feet (iii) One Hand and one Foot

B. Loss of

(iv) Total and irrecoverable loss of sight in both eyes.

1,00,000/-

C. Loss of one Hand, one Foot or loss of sight in one eye 50,000/-

1 D. Permanent Partial Disablement

Percentage as

assessed by Doctor

2 Natural Death 15,000/-

3 Funeral Expenses 2,000/-

4

Educational Assistance (for two children of the worker) a) If the daughter is studying

10th Std. b) If the son or daughter passed

10th Std. c) If the daughter is studying

11th Std. d) If the daughter is studying

12th Std. e) If the son or daughter passed

12th Std.

f) Regular Degree Course

For each Academic Year For the Hostel Student

g) Regular Post Graduate Course

For each Academic Year For the Hostel Student

h) Law, Engineering, Veterinary, Medicine and allied Professional Degree Course

For each Academic Year For the Hostel Student

i) Post Graduate Professional Course

For each Academic Year For the Hostel Student

1,000/-

1,000/-

1,000/-

1,500/-

1,500/-

1,500/- 1,750/-

2,000/- 3,000/-

2,000/- 4,000/-

4,000/- 6,000/-

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j) I.T.I or Polytechnic Course

For each Academic Year For the Hostel Student

1,000/- 1,200/-

5

Marriage Assistance (for worker or son / daughter- only twice for the family)

2,000/-

6

Maternity Assistance (for Women workers only)

i) Delivery @ Rs.1,000 p.m. for 6 months

ii) Miscarriage /Medical Termination of pregnancy

6,000/-

3,000/-

7

Spectacle Assistance (for 2000 workers per year) upto 500/-

8 Pension (above 60 years of age) 400/- per month

4.7. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, totally a sum of Rs.31,34,18,296/- has been disbursed to 1,06,327 beneficiaries under the following welfare schemes. Sl.No. Assistance No. of

workers Amount

Rs.

1.

Accident Death and Funeral Assistance 107 1,06,14,000

2. Disablement due to accident 6 2,44,000

3.

Natural Death and Funeral Assistance 7,819 12,91,04,860

4. Marriage Assistance 8,911 1,78,22,000

5. Maternity Assistance 3,881 2,32,41,000

6. Education Assistance:-

10th Studying (Only for Girl Children) 14,135 1,41,35,000

11th Studying (Only for Girl Children) 9,849 98,49,000

12th Studying (Only for Girl Children) 9,693 1,45,39,500

10th Pass 18,159 1,81,59,000

12th Pass 10,569 1,58,53,500

Higher Education 20,896 5,00,95,153

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7. Spectacles Assistance 881 4,45,740

8. Pension and Pension Arrears 1,421 93,15,543

Total 1,06,327 31,34,18,296

2. TAMIL NADU MANUAL WORKERS WELFARE BOARD AND OTHER WELFARE BOARDS 4.8. The Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Welfare Board was formed on 17.03.1999 with the objective of providing Social Security and Welfare measures to the manual workers engaged in the scheduled employments under the Tamil Nadu Manual Workers (Regulations and Conditions of Work) Act, 1982. 4.9. The Government has formed the following separate Welfare Boards along with the Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Welfare Board to pay special attention to provide welfare assistance to manual workers engaged in the respective employments.

S. No.

Name of the Welfare Boards.

1 Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Welfare Board

2 Tamil Nadu Auto Rickshaw and Taxi Drivers Welfare Board

3 Tamil Nadu Washermen Welfare Board

4 Tamil Nadu Hair Dressers Welfare Board

5 Tamil Nadu Tailoring Workers Welfare Board

6 Tamil Nadu Handicraft Workers Welfare Board

7 Tamil Nadu Palm Tree Workers Welfare Board

8 Tamil Nadu Handlooms and Handlooms Silk Weaving Workers Welfare Board

9 Tamil Nadu Footwear and Leathers Goods Manufactory and Tannery Workers Welfare Board

10 Tamil Nadu Artists Welfare Board

11 Tamil Nadu Goldsmiths Welfare Board

12 Tamil Nadu Pottery Workers Welfare Board

13 Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers Welfare Board

14 Tamil Nadu Powerloom workers Welfare Board.

15 Tamil Nadu Street Vending and Shops and Establishments Welfare Board

4.10. The Government have established District level offices in the cadre of Labour Officer (Social Security Scheme) for the Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Welfare Board and other 15 Boards from 01.11.2008 onwards for

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registration, renewal, sanction and disbursement of assistance to the workers. 4.11. The Workers are being registered with the boards by the Labour Officer (Social Security Scheme) after due verification by the Village Administrative Officer. 4.12. The Government have issued orders for computerisation of the welfare boards and as a result all the 32 District Labour Offices (Social Security Scheme) have been computerised from 15.09.2009. The welfare assistances given by these boards are as same as that in Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board. 4.13. There is no registration and renewal fee for the workers from 01.09.2006. 4.14. During the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, the total number of registered workers in the above Boards is 4,74,804. 4.15. The scheme benefits as enumerated under the Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Boards are also provided to the workers registered in Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Welfare Boards and other 14 Boards. 4.16. Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.64.00 crores as grants to the welfare Board for the year 2009 - 2010.

4.17. A sum of Rs.98,42,45,949/- has been disbursed to 3,65,187 beneficiaries under the various welfare schemes. The details of the number of manual workers registered, beneficiaries and sanction of assistance under various Welfare Boards, during the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, are as follows:

Name of the Board

No. of Registered Manual workers

No. of Benefici

aries

Amount Sanctioned

Rs.

1.Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Welfare Board

1,66,047 1,60,180 41,03,33,703

2.Tamil Nadu Auto Rickshaw and Taxi Drivers Welfare Board

28,622 6,512 1,63,71,913

3.Tamil Nadu Washermen Welfare Board

8,081 8,743 1,40,48,414

4.Tamil Nadu Hair Dressers Welfare Board

6,789 3,844 89,36,887

5.Tamil Nadu Tailoring Workers Welfare Board

69,836 94,336 29,40,54,319

6.Tamil Nadu Handicraft Workers Welfare Board

12,178 14,464 5,35,78,461

7.Tamil Nadu Palm Tree Workers Welfare Board

2,732 3,574 78,13,584

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8.Tamil Nadu Handlooms and Handlooms Silk Weaving Workers Welfare Board

10,838 43,020 10,92,68,282

9.Tamil Nadu Footwear and Leathers Goods Manufactory and Tannery Workers Welfare Board

3,912 1,312 44,12,443

10.Tamil Nadu Artists Welfare Board

483 339 9,10,603

11.Tamil Nadu Goldsmiths Welfare Board

12,079 2,718 71,28,572

12.Tamil Nadu Pottery Workers Welfare Board

4,440 2,376 60,47,619

13.Tamil Nadu Domestic Workers Welfare Board

6,471 12,577 2,93,17,632

14.Tamil Nadu Powerloom Weaving Workers Welfare Board.

23,788 4,295 81,81,063

15.Tamil Nadu Street Vending and Shops and Establishments Welfare Board

1,18,508 6,897 1,38,42,454

Total 4,74,804 3,65,187 98,42,45,949

3. NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME 4.18. The National Health Insurance Scheme (RSBY) launched by the Government of India to the unorganized sector workers and their families belonging to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) categories is being implemented by the Government of Tamil Nadu in Kancheepuram and Tirunelveli districts on pilot basis.

4.19. The scheme provides coverage for meeting pre and post hospitalization and surgical expenses upto Rs.30,000/- per family. Coverage under the scheme would be provided for BPL workers and their families (upto a unit of five). The BPL beneficiary under the scheme will have to contribute Rs.30/- as registration fee. 75% of the premium will be borne by the Government of India and 25% of the premium will be borne by the Government of Tamil Nadu. An amount of Rs.2,93,23,983/- has been sanctioned by the Government of Tamil Nadu to the State Nodal Agency i.e., Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Board towards the State Share of Premium for 75% of the total premium for the two pilot districts of Kancheepuram and Tirunelveli.

4.20. The RSBY scheme was inaugurated on 08.09.2008 in Kancheepuram district and 59,668 and 90,701 smart cards were issued to the BPL beneficiaries in Kancheepuram and Tirunelveli districts respectively as on 30.09.2009.

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4.21. State’s Share of Premium of Rs.88,84,873/- has been disbursed to the United India Insurance Company Limited against the issuance of 1,50,369 smart cards in Kancheepuram and Tirunelveli districts.

4.22. As on 31.03.2010, under this scheme 1,931 beneficiaries were provided treatment for a claim amount of Rs.33,43,263/- in the districts of Kancheepuram and 2,074 beneficiaries were provided treatment for a claim amount of Rs.53,72,850/- in Tirunelveli.

CHIEF MINISTER KALAIGNAR’S INSURANCE SCHEME FOR LIFE SAVING TREATMENTS:

4.23. A pioneering public health insurance scheme titled ‘Chief Minister Kalaignar’s Insurance Scheme’ for life saving treatments was introduced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with the noble aim of extending the facility of quality medical treatment to the downtrodden and underprivileged sections of the society. The members of the families of more than 40 Lakh un-organised manual workers registered under 16 un-organised workers welfare boards under the Administrative Control of Department of Labour are also the beneficiaries under this scheme. A beneficiary is eligible for a medical treatment costing upto Rs.1 lakh during a period of four years as per the scheme. Along with many other beneficiaries, thousands of un-organised manual workers throughout the State have presently benefited by this scheme. Officers of the Labour Department at State and District level have been closely associated with the implementation of the scheme.

CHAPTER – V

TAMILNADU INSTITUTE OF LABOUR STUDIES 5.1. The Tamilnadu Institute of Labour Studies established by the Government of Tamilnadu in 1973 was subsequently registered under the Tamilnadu Societies Registration Act 1975 on 08.10.1987 and started functioning as an autonomous body with effect from 01.04.1988. 5.2. The High Level Committee i.e. Governing Committee manages the affairs of the Tamilnadu Institute of Labour Studies, which Committee is constituted by the Government of Tamilnadu and headed by the Chairman the Honourable Minister for Labour and Vice-Chairman the Principal Secretary to Government, Labour and Employment Department, Commissioner of Labour and officers in Government departments, Employers, Trade Union, Education etc. 5.3. The main activities of the Institute are of conducting academic courses, training programmes, seminars, workshops, refresher courses, orientation programmes for the benefit of Supervisory and Managerial Personnel in Industry, Trade Unionists,

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Workers, Officers of Labour Department and Inspectorate of Factories based on their training needs. ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES 5.4. The academic courses conducted are, B.A. (Labour Management) and M.A.(Labour Management) which are affiliated to the University of Madras. This institute has also been recognized by the University of Madras as a Research Institute to conduct both part time and full time Ph.D programmes on Labour Management from the year 2001 onwards. 5.5. A part time one year Post Graduate Diploma Course called "Post Graduate Diploma in Labour Administration" (P.G.D.L.A) is conducted. 5.6. One Month Certificate Course on Safety and Health for Supervisory Personnel working in Hazardous Process is also conducted. 5.7. In the Academic Year 2009 - 2010, the details of admissions are as below:-

No. of students admitted ---------------------------------

B.A. (L.M.) 51 M.A. (L.M.) 44 P.G.D.L.A. 52

5.8. A placement cell - "Neo Manager's Guidance Bureau" (NMGB) established in this institute organizes campus interviews / placements for the B.A. (Labour Management) and M.A. (Labour Management) students. During the year 2009, 7 students of M.A. (Labour Management) were placed in various organizations like TAFE, INKOR ATOTECK, RANE, INOVA etc. and 5 students of B.A. (Labour Management) were provided placements at SICAL, Ambattur Clothing Company, V.M. Associates etc. CERTIFICATE COURSE ON SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL WORKING IN HAZARDOUS PROCESS 5.9. 61 persons underwent the "One Month Certificate Course on Safety and Health for Supervisory Personnel working in Hazardous Process" in two batches. 5.10. For one batch, for the first time this course was conducted outside the Tamilnadu Institute of Labour Studies, Chennai at Ambur, Vellore District. 5.11. This institute has conducted 20 seminars for the benefit of 1,504 participants who were employed in shops, catering establishment and motor transport organizations on Labour enactments relating to their establishments.

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5.12. Two days training progamme on "Factory Laws - An Eagle's Eye View" was conducted for 6 batches at various places benefiting 422 middle level executives of Industries. 5.13. Thus this Institute has conducted 26 seminars / training programmes benefiting 1,926 participants for the period from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010. 5.14. The Tamil Nadu Institute of Labour Studies, in collaboration with the National Centre for Industrial Harmony is conducting “His Excellency Late G. Ramanujam Memorial Endowment Programme” every year. Recently, one such programme on the topic of “Relevance of Dr. G. Ramanujam Thought on Industrial Harmony in Today’s Industrial Scenario” was conducted on 24.03.2010 in Chennai. Around 300 persons, representatives of Trade Unions, students of University of Madras, Queen Mary’s College, Presidency College, M.O.P. Vaishnav College etc. have attended the programme.

CHAPTER – VI

DEPARTMENT OF INSPECTORATE OF FACTORIES

INTRODUCTION 6.1. Government intensively engaged in accelerating the industrialisation of the State through maximizing the infrastructure development and Human Resources and attracting investments in large scale also lays importance in ensuring its policy of protecting the safety, health and welfare of the workers employed in the factories. The Department of Inspectorate of Factories is playing a vital role in enforcing the above policy of the Government.

6.2. The enforcement of the various legislations, ensuring the compliance of all statutory requirements enshrined therein, is made by this Inspectorate under the overall charge of the Chief Inspector of Factories assisted by Additional Chief Inspector of Factories, Joint Chief Inspectors of Factories, Deputy Chief Inspectors of Factories, Inspectors of Factories and Assistant Inspectors of Factories. 6.3. This Inspectorate is carrying out mainly the following functions:-

I) Regulatory functions II) Occupational Health, Safety, Training and

Development functions

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1. REGULATORY FUNCTIONS A) INSPECTIONS 6.4. To ensure that, the benefits of the legislations are extended to all the workers employed in the factories registered under the Factories Act, 1948 as well as, to ensure safe and good working conditions for all the workers employed in all the divisions of the factories, effective measures are taken by the Inspectors of this department by way of making inspections in factories as per the target fixed.

(i) Factories not engaged in dangerous operations and certified as Small Scale Industries are inspected only once in a period of five years provided no complaints are received either from the workers or from the Trade Unions.

(ii) Factories engaged in dangerous operations

though certified as Small Scale Industries are inspected once in a period of six months so as to ensure health and safety and Non-Small Scale Industries are inspected once in a period of six months.

(iii) Match and Fire Works factories are inspected once in every three months because of the risk involved in the nature of work.

(iv) In addition, special, holiday and check

inspections are also undertaken for better monitoring of the safety, health and welfare provisions.

B) SQUAD INSPECTIONS

6.5. During Deepavali festival season due to large scale activities in fire works manufacture, there are chances for explosion and accidents in fire works factories. So, to monitor the safe working conditions and safe methods of work during this season, apart from routine and regular inspections the special squads formed every year, during 2009 conducted special joint inspections along with officials of the Department of Police, Fire and Rescue services and Revenue Department. 601 squad inspections were conducted by the above team of officials. C) ENFORCEMENT OF MINIMUM WAGES ACT, 1948 6.6. Apart from routine inspections special raids were also conducted during 2009 under Minimum Wages Act to protect the wage conditions of workers.

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6.7. A programme “Thirumagal Thirumana Thittam” being exercised in Textile Mills in Tamil Nadu wherein Female workers are employed as company apprentices came to the knowledge of the Government, Government vide G.O. (2D) No.61 Labour and Employment dated 07.11.2008 fixed minimum wages for the above apprentices and the above Government Order is being implemented by the officers of this Inspectorate. From 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 1,954 textile mills have been inspected and 1,002 claim petitions have been filed, in which 31 claim petitions benefitting 1,468 apprentices have been settled. An amount of Rs.30,60,654/- have been claimed and paid. D) CONFERMENT OF PERMANENT STATUS TO

WORKMEN IN PRIVATE SECTOR ESTABLISHMENTS

6.8. The Tamil Nadu Industrial Establishment (Conferment of Permanent Status to Workmen) Act, 1981 implemented by this Inspectorate, confers permanent status to workmen who have put in continuous service of 480 days within a period of 24 calendar months. Due to the intensive effort of the officers of this Inspectorate 26,165 workers have been made permanent from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 as per this Act.

E) ERADICATION OF CHILD LABOUR 6.9. This Inspectorate puts in intensive effort to eradicate employment of Child Labour in factories. Section 67 of the Factories Act, 1948, prohibiting child labour in factories is strictly enforced by the officers. While filing prosecutions against the defaulting employers, the penal provisions under Section 14 and 15 of Child Labour Act, 1986 are invoked as penal provisions of these Sections are more deterrent than what is contemplated under Section 92 of Factories Act. In this way, 44 cases have been filed against the defaulting employers under Section 67 of the Factories Act, 1948 and fine amount of Rs.6,67,000/- have been realized from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010. Further to eliminate child labour in hazardous industries, apart from routine inspections, Squad inspections are also conducted every month. 725 Squad inspections have been conducted from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010. F) ENQUIRY OF COMPLAINTS 6.10. This Inspectorate gives top priority to the complaints received from the workers and Trade Union leaders by immediately enquiring into the grievances expressed and taking suitable action to settle the same. From 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, as many as 528 complaints have been received and all the complaints

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were enquired and disposed off. In addition, meetings with the Trade Union leaders are also conducted by the Joint Chief Inspector of Factories at Chennai and by Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories in the districts every month to sort out the grievances of the workers and the Trade Unions. G) MAJOR ACCIDENT HAZARD CONTROL CELL 6.11. In certain factories, in particular, in chemical factories the raw materials used therein and uncontrolled developments in the industrial activity are likely to cause serious impairment to the safety and health of the workers employed therein and also to the people living in the nearby surrounding, in addition to causing adverse effect on environment. Such units have been classified as Major Accident Hazard Units and special care is taken by this Inspectorate to ensure operational safety in these factories. As per Schedule - I of the Factories Act, 1948, 29 processes have been listed as hazardous process industries. 122 units have been classified as MAH units in our State. 6.12. A Major Accident Hazard Control Cell formed at Headquarters and headed by the Additional Chief Inspector of Factories recommends suitable safety measures to the managements of Major Accident Hazard

factories to prevent any industrial disaster and also monitors the compliance of the suggestions given. 6.13. As many as 119 On Site Emergency Plans have been received from MAH Units Upto 31.03.2010, out of which 92 were recorded subject to certain conditions. District Collectors have been nominated as the District Emergency Authority in respect of Off-site Emergency Plans and the Chief Inspector of Factories as the authority for the On-site Emergency Plans. Government have constituted State, District and Local Crisis Groups to assess the Emergency Preparedness of MAH units and to assist the State Government in planning emergency preparedness and mitigation of major chemical accidents in the MAH units in the State. The officers of this Inspectorate serve as Member Secretaries in the District Crisis Group, while the Chief Inspector of Factories, is the Secretary of the State Crisis Group. 6.14. Mock Drills are conducted periodically in the factories under the supervision of the Officers of the Inspectorate of Factories to assess and update the operational efficiency in the event of real emergency. From 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 114 Mock Drills have been conducted. In addition to the above measures, to ensure safety in the process, Safety Reports are called for

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from Hazardous Industries and are monitored by the Department of Inspectorate of Factories. H) ACCIDENTS 6.15. Even though there is a constant increase in the number of workers getting benefitted due to new factories being registered, the incidence of accidents are controlled by the intense and ceaseless efforts put in by the officers of this Inspectorate by way of increased safety promotional activities like conducting safety surveys, safety courses and safety awareness campaigns etc. The details of accidents during 2007, 2008, 2009 and upto 31.03.2010 are given below:

Year No. of Factories

No. of workers

Fatal Non-fatal

2007 41,592 14,26,991 60 1,089

2008 42,185 14,31,433 62 954

2009 40,515 14,86,290 85 826

Upto 31.03.2010 40,703 14,95,557 18 131

I) SITE APPRAISAL COMMITTEE 6.16. For the purpose of advising the Government to consider the application for grant of permission for the initial location of the factories involved in hazardous process, a Site Appraisal Committee has been constituted and functioning as per section 41A of the Factories Act. This committee has considered 20 applications from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010. Action is taken by this Inspectorate to monitor the conditions imposed by the Government, while approving the applications, thereby ensuring plant vicinity safety at the erection stage itself.

2) HEALTH, SAFETY, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

FUNCTIONS A) HEALTH PROMOTION FUNCTIONS 6.17. To monitor the occupational health of the workers employed in Chemical factories, which poses potential health risks to the workers, a medical wing is functioning in this department. The Medical Officers examine the workers engaged in dangerous operations at regular intervals and also conduct health surveys at periodical intervals to monitor the health of the workers and suggest both clinical and other preventive measures for them.

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B) INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE UNIT 6.18. To monitor the environment in chemical industries for the presence of chemical pollutants which cause harm to the workers an industrial hygiene unit is functioning in this department. This unit assesses the clinical manifestations of these chemicals on the health of the workers and suggests preventive measures. The effects of physical agents like noise, dust, ventilation, etc. are also studied by Industrial Hygiene Unit. C) NOISE PROBLEM 6.19. This Inspectorate takes concerted efforts to combat the problems faced by the workers caused due to high noise pollution which is a major problem in industries. The noise level is monitored with Sound Level Meter and steps are taken to safeguard the workers from exposure to high level noise. D) SAFETY AUDIT CELL 6.20. A State Level Audit Cell constituted with Chief Inspector of Factories nominated as Chairman of this Cell is also functioning in this Inspectorate. This Cell scrutinises the Safety Audit Reports submitted by the MAH Factories annually and makes suggestions for improvements in Safety, Health and Environment aspects. From 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, the Safety Audit Cell has

conducted 12 meetings and scrutinized 12 Safety Audit Reports. The recommendations of the Cell are also communicated to the respective managements and the managements are advised accordingly. E) PRESSURE VESSEL TESTING 6.21. In addition to the enforcement of Factories Act and Allied Acts, this Department is also entrusted with the prime task of ensuring operational safety of the pressure vessels installed in the factories. All the pressure vessels operating above atmospheric pressure excluding steam boilers coming under the purview of Indian Boiler Act are examined or tested as the case may be externally once in every period of six months, internally once in every year or hydrostatically once in every two years or subjected to ultrasonic test once in every four years in the case of continuous process of factories. Surveillance of safety performance of the accident prone factories are also taken up by them through periodical safety surveys. F) SAFETY PROPAGANDA COMMITTEES 6.22. To prevent blasts and accidents in the fire works factories and to avoid loss of human lives, a Safety propaganda Committee constituted periodically visits the fire works factories and explains the hazards in fire works manufacture to the workers and educate them about the

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safety precautions to be followed for avoiding accidents. This Committee from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 has conducted 47 Safety Awareness Campaigns benefitting workers. 6.23. Similarly, to avoid loss of human lives, in Chemical factories, Tanneries and Bleaching and Dyeing Units, two Safety Propaganda Committees constituted periodically visits the Chemicals factories and educate the workers about the safety precautions to be followed for avoiding accidents. These Committees from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010 had conducted 49 Safety Awareness Campaigns benefiting workers. G) STATE SAFETY AWARDS

6.24. State Safety Awards are presented to the managements every year based on their performance in reducing accidents in their factories. For a better comparison, the factories are classified into 3 groups depending upon the man-hours worked and awards are presented based on factors like highest reduction in Accident Frequency Rate when compared with the previous year, Lowest Weighted Frequency Rate and Longest Accident Free Period in man-hours during the award year. Every year around 90 managements are given first prize (Silver Shields) worth Rs.2,500/- each and second prize (Silver Shields) worth Rs.1,500/- each.

6.25. Similarly, to encourage the workers to take active part in the accident prevention and productivity improvement, every year Shram Vir Awards, popularly styled as “Tamilaga Arasin Uyarntha Uzhaipalar Virudhu” in Tamil, are presented to the workmen for their outstanding and useful suggestions for the enhancement of safety standards, working environments and increase in productivity. 6.26. The State Safety Awards and Uyarntha Uzhaipalar Virudhu for the year 2006 and 2007 has been distributed to the managements and workers respectively by the Hon’ble Minister for Labour, in the function held on 05.03.2010 at Chennai. 80 workers from 48 managements and 154 factory managements received Uyarndha Uzhaipalar Virudhu and State Safety Awards respectively. H) SAFETY AWARDS FOR FIREWORKS FACTORIES

6.27. In order to evolve an accident free status in the Fire works manufacturing units Safety Awards are presented to the factory managements which perform with better safety performance without any accident. For this purpose a Committee headed by Chief Inspector of Factories with Safety Experts in the field of Fire works manufacture had been constituted. Under this Scheme every year 3 first prizes (Silver Shields) worth Rs.15,000/- each, 3 second prizes (Silver Shields) worth

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Rs.12,000/- each, and 3 third prizes (Silver Shields) worth Rs.10,000/- each are given to the Managements.

I) ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO SAFETY IN FIRE WORKS FACTORIES

6.28. On the recommendations of the State Human Rights Commission additional provisions relating to safety have been proposed for incorporation under Schedule XXIV Rule 95 of the Tamil Nadu Factories Rules, 1950 for which preliminary notification has now been issued by the Government.

J) GROUP PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEME

6.29. A Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme designed to give relief in case of death, loss of limbs, loss of eye-sight, etc., of the insured persons due to accidents has been formulated for the benefit of workers of Match and Fire Works Industries in Tamil Nadu. Under this Scheme, coverage for death is Rs.50,000/-. From 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, 1,09,461 workers in Match and Fire Works factories have been covered under this scheme. Accident Insurance is given to the injured persons on 24 hour basis and this is not confined to accidents arising out of or in the course of actual occupation alone. An amount of Rs.6,50,000/- has been paid to the claimants from 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010.

K) SAFETY TRAINING

6.30. In order to educate the workers and managements on the importance of safe work and to inculcate safety awareness, this inspectorate conducts training classes periodically in the factory premises itself in Tamil free of cost which is welcomed by both the workers and managements. This Inspectorate also conducts Safety Surveys in the factories with specific concentration given to factories reporting large number of accidents. From 01.01.2009 to 31.03.2010, as many as 225 Training Classes have been conducted in 247 factories, benefiting 11,426 persons.

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CHAPTER – VII

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

A. EMPLOYMENT WING

7.1. The primary activity of the Employment Wing of the Department of Employment and Training is registration, renewal and nomination of candidates who have registered in the Employment Exchanges against suitable vacancies notified to them. Apart from Exchange activities, the Employment Exchanges also collect, compile and disseminate data on employment in both Public and Private Sectors. Providing Vocational Guidance Services to candidates with a view to empower the candidates who approach the Employment Exchanges to prepare for and write Competitive Examinations is also one of the major functions of the Employment Exchanges. ORGANISATION SET UP OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES

7.2. In keeping with the Policy decision of the Government to have an Employment Exchange in each district, there is an Employment Exchange in all the 32 Revenue Districts in Tamil Nadu. The District Employment Exchanges started functioning in the newly formed Districts of Ariyalur and Tiruppur on 02.11.2009 and 17.11.2009 respectively.

7.3. In order to cater to the needs of Professional and Executive Standard of applicants, there are now two Professional and Executive Employment Offices in the State. One is functioning in Chennai and the other at Madurai. The Madurai Branch Office of the Professional and Executive Employment Office started functioning with effect from 16.10.2008.

7.4. In Chennai there are exclusive offices to register Unskilled and Technical Personnel. A Special Employment Office for Differently Abled is also functioning in Chennai to render exclusive assistance to Differently Abled persons. 7.5. Five Coaching-cum-Guidance Centres for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Vellore and Cuddalore and one Special Vocational Guidance Centre for Tribal Population at Uthagamandalam are also functioning in this Department. 7.6. The direct administrative control of the Employment Exchanges and Special Offices in the State is vested with the four Regional Deputy Directors, at Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai and Coimbatore, who oversee the functioning of all the offices falling within their administrative areas.

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7.7. The overall control of this Department vests with the Commissioner of Employment and Training, who is assisted by three Joint Directors and other officials at the Commissionerate.

IMPLEMENTATION OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES (COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION OF VACANCIES) ACT 1959.

7.8. Information on employment is collected on a periodical basis from all Public Sector Employers, and from Private Sectors employing 25 and more employees, and undertaking non-agricultural activities, as per the Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Act 1959. The number of establishments addressed and the number of employees in the establishments covered quarterly in respect of Public and Private Sectors for the period upto 30.09.2009 are given below:-

For the period upto 30.09.2009 Sl.

No Item Public Sector

Private Sector

1.

Number of establishments addressed

12,251 13,928

2.

Number of establishments responded

12,210 13,430

Total employment 14,98,228 8,79,896

PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES 7.9. All the activities of the Employment Exchanges such as registration, renewal, issuance of identity cards, nomination of candidates, etc., are done through computers as all the Employment Exchanges are fully computerized. 7.10. During the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.03.2010, 14,10,682 candidates have registered with the Employment Exchanges in Tamilnadu. It was only 5,67,619 in 2004. 23,243 candidates were placed in employment during the said period in Government Departments through Employment Exchanges. There are 61,98,028 candidates waiting on the Live Register of the Employment Exchanges in the State as on 31.03.2010 of whom 29,16,920 are women. VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE ACTIVITIES 7.11. The Employment Exchanges’ focus on youth is further strengthened with the establishment of Vocational Guidance Units. The Vocational Guidance Units guide the unemployed youth on job opportunities and higher education and also offer training in soft skills. Vocational Guidance Units have been provided in 17 Employment Offices for the purpose of guiding youth. Vocational Guidance activities in the Employment Exchanges include

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registration guidance, furnishing of information, review of old registrants, arrangement of group discussions, dissemination of career information, paving way for apprenticeship, training and placements, delivering career talks in schools and colleges, development and maintenance of employer contacts, conduct of Career Exhibitions / Seminars, motivation of candidates for self-employment, etc. 7.12. During the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.03.2010, 607 candidates were sent for apprenticeship training. 2,125 Career talks and 57 Career Exhibitions were conducted and 1,544 candidates were motivated for self-employment during the period. 7.13. The Career Guidance Programmes done through Video Conference during the year 2008 has been appreciated by the Government of India as the first time in the country by a State Government. This year also, this department is continuing its pioneering efforts in Vocational Guidance. A Week long Career Guidance Programme has been ordered vide G.O. Ms. No.156, Labour and Employment (R2) Department, dated 20.10.2009. This programme was conducted from 18.02.2010 to 25.02.2010 (except 21.02.2010 – Sunday), each day between 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 pm. A panel of experts participated in the counseling programme and

gave their valuable guidance to the budding youth on higher education, employment opportunities and other career related queries. STUDY CIRCLES 7.14. Study Circles are functioning in all the District Headquarters and in 385 Panchayat Unions in order to enhance the capacities of the unemployed youth to take up various competitive examinations. All latest editions of books, periodicals, newspapers and study materials are made available to the students, besides conduct of special coaching classes for preparation for Competitive Examinations through various recruiting agencies, with the department spending Rs.64.20 lakhs per year. During the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.03.2010, 947 candidates have got jobs in the Civil Services and other Services through the efforts of the Study Circles. PRIVATE SECTOR PLACEMENT 7.15. In the backdrop of the robust economic growth experienced by the State, the Employment Exchanges also join the mainstream playing a facilitator role in order to arrange for private employment to the better job seekers and the unemployed youth. The Second Friday of each Month is observed as ‘Private Placement Day’ by each Employment Exchange in the State. During these

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campaigns, the local employers and the candidates who are willing to take up private sector employment meet in the premises of the Employment Offices and the recruitment is made on the same day based on merits. These campaigns are widely welcomed by the public and the private sector employers as they save recruitment cost and time. This service is rendered free of cost. During the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.03.2010, 11,817 candidates were placed in the private sector by all the District Employment Offices in the State. ACTIVITIES OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES TOWARDS PLACEMENT OF DIFFERENTLY ABLED PERSONS 7.16. The 13 Special Cells for differently abled attached to the District Employment Offices at Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Erode, Kancheepuram, Madurai, Nagercoil, Salem, Tiruchirapalli, Thanjavur, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Uthagamandalam and Vellore and a Special Employment Office for the Differently Abled, Santhome, Chennai - 4 adopt selective placement techniques for promoting placement / rehabilitation of the Differently Abled registrants.

7.17. During the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.03.2010, 460 Blind, 343 Deaf and 4,811 Orthopaedically Handicapped persons were registered in the Employment

Exchanges. 608 differently abled candidates were placed in employment during the period. There are 89,776 differently abled candidates waiting on the Live Register of the Employment Exchanges as on 31.03.2010, including 9,231 Blind, 8,421 Deaf and 72,124 Orthopaedically Handicapped candidates. SPECIAL VOCATIONAL GUIDANCE CENTRE FOR TRIBAL POPULATION 7.18. The Government gives importance to the upliftment of the Tribal, especially the Tribal Youth. Special Vocational Guidance Centre for Tribal Population is functioning in Uthagamandalam. 7.19. The Centre undertakes the activities of collection, compilation and dissemination of information on occupations and training facilities, to Scheduled Tribes, besides issuing Career Information bulletins at quarterly intervals which serve as guides for student population as well as job seekers among Scheduled Tribes. The Vocational Guidance Officer of the Centre visits the Hostels and Schools run for the benefit of Scheduled Tribes and other Schools where a large number of Scheduled Tribe students are studying and delivers career guidance talks, besides providing them with information about higher education, professional courses, training facilities, courses abroad, careers, scholarships

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and employment opportunities in shortage occupations. Further, identification of vacancies for which suitable Scheduled Tribe applicants are not available and arranging for their training in these occupations to fill up the reserved vacancies, spot registration of Scheduled Tribe job seekers and motivation of Scheduled Tribe applicants to take up self-employment and arranging for loans through various banks and other agencies are also undertaken by this Centre. 7.20. During the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.03.2010, 109 Scheduled Tribe applicants were registered from various remote areas, 291 were guided during registration, 222 applicants were given individual guidance information. 567 Group Discussions were held and 1,115 Scheduled Tribe applicants attended. 18 career talks were delivered and 75 employers / institutions were contacted besides 25 Schools and Scheduled Hostels were visited. COACHING-CUM-GUIDANCE CENTRES FOR SCHEDULED CASTE / SCHEDULED TRIBE 7.21. There are five Coaching-cum-Guidance Centres for Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes functioning at Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli and Vellore.

7.22. These Centres are providing Vocational Guidance and disseminate career information to the Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe job seekers besides planning and executing confidence building and related programmes for the Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribes. These Centres also organise and conduct job-development programmes and arrange facilities to Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe job seekers for practicing shorthand / typing besides establishing close linkage with the local Employment Exchange for similar other Career Guidance programmes specially meant for Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribes. 7.23. Apart from counseling services, these Centres are also periodically organising Pre-Examination Training Courses to the Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe youth appearing for various competitive examinations conducted by various recruiting agencies. These coaching classes enable the Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe youth to compete more successfully. 7.24. During the period from 01.04.2009 to 31.03.2010, 6,922 senior Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe registrants were given Vocational and Training information, 346 confidence building programmes were conducted for Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe registrants, 337 Career Talks were delivered and

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2,280 applications were forwarded to the Nationalised Banks for Self Employment. COMPUTERISATION OF EMPLOYMENT EXCHANGES 7.25. Computerisation was introduced in a phased manner in the Employment Exchanges in Tamilnadu from 1986. All Employment Offices have been computerised. The Government of India identified the Employment Exchanges as one of the Departments for implementing e-governance programme. Accordingly, the Government of Tamilnadu appointed M/s. Wipro as consultant for preparing project report for the Departments identified under e-governance. As such M/s. Wipro has completed the study with regard to Employment Exchanges and submitted a Detailed Project Report. The Detailed Project Report has been forwarded to Government of India through the Labour and Employment Department. On approval by the Government of India, this scheme will be effectively implemented. 7.26. Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.2.90 crores for networking of Employment Exchanges in the State. Work has been entrusted to M/S. ELCOT for execution. The designing work is under progress and networking of Employment Exchanges will be completed soon.

INSTALLATION OF ONLINE INTERACTIVE JOB PORTAL 7.27. To facilitate private sector employers to select their required manpower, a data bank consisting of the details of almost 5 lakh candidates with educational qualifications in Professional and Executive standard such as, medicine, engineering etc., has been put on the Website. Provision has also been made in the Website for renewing the registrations made with the Professional and Executive Employment Office, Chennai and Madurai. Updated information on vocational guidance services such as, facilities for higher education, details of competitive examinations are rendered to the candidates through this Website viz., (http://www.employment.tn.gov.in) RENEWAL CONCESSIONS 7.28. To redress the grievance of the registrants of the Employment Exchanges who have failed to renew the registration for some reasons, this Government accords special renewal concessions to those candidates every year. By announcing Special Renewal Concessions year after year, this Government has given renewal concession to 4,57,259 persons in the past three years. During 2009 alone a total of 39,618 registrants have benefited.

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UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE SCHEME 7.29. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has launched a scheme on 11.11.2006 to distribute Unemployment Assistance to the unemployed youth who are without a job for many long years with a view to mitigate the hardship faced by them. 7.30. During the year 2009, a sum of Rs.74.20 crores was disbursed to 3,53,801 beneficiaries under the above scheme. The total amount disbursed to eligible candidates since the time of inception of the scheme upto 31.03.2010 is Rs.261 crores.

DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

B.TRAINING WING

7.31. Craftsmen Training was under the control of Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Employment till 01.11.1956. The administration of Craftsmen Training was transferred to Government of Tamil Nadu on 01.11.1956 A.N. The Craftsmen Training was under the control of Director of Industries and Commerce till 1963.

7.32. Since the time of its inception, this Department is playing a vital role in the field of Vocational Training and in shaping the craftsmen to meet the existing as well as future manpower requirement through vast network of ITIs in the State. To ensure a steady flow of skilled manpower and to reduce the unemployment problem among the educated youth, this Department is implementing various skill training programmes.

THE MAJOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING PROGRAMMES

1. Craftsmen Training Scheme 2. Apprenticeship Training Scheme 3. Industrial Schools 4. Modular Employable Skill for unemployed Youth

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5. Skill Development Initiative- Modular Employable Skills

6. Orientation cum Training for overseas Indented Emigrants.

7. Centres of Excellence 8. Upgradation of Govt. I.T.I. into CoE under PPP

mode.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

7.33. There are 60 Government ITIs set up with a seating capacity of 100 to 1,000. They are headed by Principals in the cadre of Training Officer / Assistant Director / Deputy Director depending upon the cadre strength. There are 5 Regions viz., Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and Tirunelveli headed by Regional Joint Directors who supervise the Training activities in both Government ITIs and Private ITCs. Entire function of this Department is controlled by the Commissioner of Employment and Training as the head of the Department. The Commissionerate is functioning in a spacious building located at Guindy Industrial Estate. Two Joint Directors are assisting the Commissioner at the State Head Quarters.

1. Craftsmen Training Scheme

7.34. Craftsmen Training plays a pivotal role in providing skilled manpower to the Industry. The economy of a

country mainly revolves around its Industrial production. The Industry is in need of skilled manpower for its production and growth. The Industrial Training Institutes (I.T.Is) under C.T.S., impart Industrial Training and give the required skilled manpower to the Industry. THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THIS SCHEME ARE

1. To ensure a steady flow of skilled workforce to the Industry to meet the manpower requirement in different trades.

2. To Introduce new courses in emerging areas and to create self- sustaining courses and make the I.T.I.s autonomous.

3. To impart training to the less privileged downtrodden and early school leavers to acquire technical skill for gainful employment.

4. To provide sophisticated training opportunities for women in the field of Electronic and Information Technology for gainful employment.

5. To establish a close interaction with the Industries on the issues relating to exchange of technical knowledge and experience for the mutual benefit of the institute and the industry.

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ACTIVITIES OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING INSTITUTES 7.35. 60 Government I.T.Is with a total seating capacity of 21,736 impart Industrial Training to both boys and girls in 39 Engineering and 17 Non-Engineering trades and 11 sectors under Centre of Excellence where the duration of training ranges from 6 months to 3 years depending upon the trades. Students between the age of 14 and 40 are admitted in Industrial Training Institutes. There is no upper age limit for girls admitted in women ITIs / women wings. Admission is made during the month of August every year. The trainees on roll during 2009 – 2010 are 23,233. 7.36. Admission is purely based on merit i.e., marks scored in the School Examination, following the rule of reservation in force. 7.37. Out of 60 Government I.T.I.s, 12 Govt. I.T.I.s and 3 Women wings are functioning exclusively for Women. Two Govt. I.T.I.s, one at Chidambaram and another at Sankarapuram are exclusively functioning for SC / ST. CURRICULUM 7.38. The syllabus for the courses is evolved, controlled and monitored by the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT), New Delhi. Trade Test is conducted on

All India basis and the question papers are issued to all Trade Testing Centres by the NCVT. Passed-out candidates are issued with National Trade Certificates (NTCs) under the seal and authority of NCVT. STIPEND 7.39. During the training period, stipend is given to the trainees to encourage their active participation in the training programme at the following rates. 1. Scheduled caste - Rs.150/ month 2. Scheduled Tribes - Rs.175 / month 3. Denotified community - Rs.140/month 4. Burma / Srilanka Repatriate - Rs.175 / month 5. General category - Rs. 50 / month (1/3rd of trainees admitted with their parental income does not exceed Rs.16100 per year) SCHOLARSHIP 7.40. Apart from the above, monetary assistance for the education to the children of the Agricultural Labourers of Tamil Nadu Studying in Government Industrial Training Institutes / Private Industrial Training Centres is sanctioned every year as follows under Tamil Nadu Agricultural Labour Farmers (Social Security and Welfare) Scheme, 2006.

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Day Scholar Hosteller Boys Girls Boys Girls

Rs.1,250/- Rs.1,750/- Rs.1,450/- Rs.1,950/- FEES - FREE EDUCATION 7.41. In order to help the poor and downtrodden students to acquire skill training, Government of Tamil Nadu has waived the special fee of Rs.1200/- p.a to be paid by the trainees from August 2008 session. A complete free training is offered in all Government ITIs. As announced in the Budget Session last year, this Government has sanctioned free Bus Pass to the students of Government ITIs at Rs.3.84 Crores. INSTITUTE MANAGING COMMITTEE 7.42. In an effort to promote Institute – Industry interaction and to facilitate the participation of the industry in skill development, Institute Managing Committee (IMC) has been formed in each Industrial Training Institute. A representative from the Industry of the local area, heads the Committee, assists the Institute in imparting effective training and also helps in providing on the job training in their establishments to the trainees.

AFFILIATED PRIVATE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRES 7.43. To supplement the efforts of the State in producing skilled manpower to the Industry, private participation is being encouraged. At present there are 615 Private affiliated I.T.C.s in Tamil Nadu with a total seating capacity of 60,320. . ALL INDIA TRADE TEST 7.44. Trade Test is conducted for the trainees of Govt. I.T.I.s and the Private affiliated I.T.C.s by this Department during July every year. Supplementary Trade Test is conducted during February every year for the failed candidates. The Valuation of answer papers is done by Central Evaluation System in the 5 regions viz. Chennai, Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai and Tirunelveli. In July 2009, 24,414 trainees including the supplementary candidates have passed the All India trade Test. Pass percentage is 72. ALL INDIA SKILL COMPETITION 7.45. Skill competition is conducted at All India level in 14 trades every year during January. 7.46. The Best Trainee in each trade is given a Cash Award of Rs.10,000/- and a Merit Certificate by

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Government of India. Out of 45 All India Skill Competitions held so far, Tamilnadu has been declared Best State for 21 times. 7.47. To encourage the trainees, the State Government is also conducting State level skills competition in 19 trades. The Best Trainees are awarded a cash prize of Rs.5,000/- and a merit certificate by the State Government. DR. RADHAKRISHNAN AWARD 7.48. Government had issued orders, enhancing the value of award from Rs.500/- to Rs.1,000/-. In order to encourage the Instructors every year, this award is given to 12 Best Teachers in the form of Kisan Vikas Patra along with Merit Certificates. APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING SCHEME 7.49. The I.T.Is produce semi-skilled workers. To shape them as skilled workers and expose them in actual production, the I.T.I passed out trainees are sponsored to Industrial Establishments and are given Apprenticeship Training under Apprentices Act, 1961 for a period ranging from 6 months to 4 years. They are given on the job practical training covering related theory during their training period in the Industries.

7.50. In Tamil Nadu, Apprenticeship training is given in 158 trades in 2,345 industrial Establishments. As of now, Of the 33,531 seats identified, 16,127 apprentices are undergoing training. During apprenticeship training, the apprentices are given a minimum stipend of Rs.1090/- to Rs.1620/- per month by the establishments. At the end of training, All India level Trade Test is conducted by this Department during the month of April and October and results published in the Government Website. The passed out candidates are issued with National Apprenticeship Certificates (NACs). Every year, nearly 12,500 apprentices are appearing for the All India Trade Test. Welfare Schemes for Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes 7.51. To assist the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to improve their Socio – Economic conditions and for employability, a Government Industrial Training Institute at Chidambaram in Cuddalore district is functioning with three trades and 96 seats exclusively for Scheduled Castes. 7.52. A Government Industrial Training Institute at Sankarapuram in Villupuram District is functioning exclusively for Scheduled Tribes under ‘Tribal Sub-Plan’ with three trades and 80 seats.

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7.53. Apart from this, in all Government Industrial Training Institutes, seats are reserved as for communal rotation. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS 7.54. In order to cater to the needs of school dropouts, less educated and poor students, apart from the Government ITIs and the affiliated Private Industrial Training Centres, 987 Private Industrial schools are functioning in Tamil Nadu with a seating capacity of 96,998 trainees for giving skill training. The Industrial Schools are imparting training in 110 trades. In Industrial Schools, training is offered mainly in the areas like Catering, Tailoring, Computer Software, Beauty Culture, Office Automation besides Engineering and Non- Engineering Trades. Training period is from 45 days to 3 years. 7.55. To enable the less educated to acquire technical skill for securing gainful employment and decent livelihood, the Government had issued orders relaxing the educational qualification for the Industrial School Admission from 10th Std. fail to 8th Std. pass. Further, to have adequate participation of women in the Technical Teachers’ Certificate Course, the Government issued orders relaxing the admission age from 30 years to 40 years. Examination is conducted under SCVT pattern

and certificates are issued to the successful candidates by the State Government. Maintenance grant is given to 45 Industrial Schools run by the Minorities. ADVANCED VOCATIONAL TRAINING SYSTEM 7.56. For the benefit of industrial workers, Advanced Vocational Training is given in 7 trades for periods ranging from 2 to 3 weeks in Govt. I.T.I.s, Ambattur and Coimbatore. A fee of Rs.50/- is collected from the private candidates and Rs.100/- from the sponsored candidates. HI-TECH TRAINING PROGRAMME 7.57. To create a new generation of skilled workers in servicing and maintenance, and in operating sophisticated machineries and equipments, Hi-Tech training courses of 2-3 weeks are conducted in Govt. I.T.I., Ambattur for Industrial workers in the trades such as Industrial Automation, Computer Aided Drafting, Analog and Digital Electronics and Personal Computer Maintenance. 7.58. A fee of Rs.500/- is collected from the private candidates and Rs.1,000/- from the sponsored candidates.

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EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE CELL AND WORKSHOP 7.59. Since our Craftsman Training is oriented towards Practical Training, it becomes imperative to maintain the machineries and equipment to provide 100% practical oriented training to trainees. 7.60. Under World Bank Assistance, one centralized State Level Equipment Maintenance Workshop at Ambattur and 6 Regional Maintenance Cells have been formed in Government I.T.I. (North) Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai, Trichy and Pettai for the proper maintenance of Machineries and Equipments throughout the State. 7.61. Machineries which are not able to be repaired at regional level are inspected by the Assistant Director, State Level Equipment Maintenance Workshop, Ambattur and spot rectification is done immediately. If heavy repairs are to be carried out, the machines are brought to the Workshop in the lorry and get repaired and sent immediately. 7.62. Also the Assistant Director of this workshop acts as the Advisory Member to determine whether to condemn the machinery or not.

STAFF TRAINING PROGRAMME AT GOVERNMENT I.T.I., AMBATTUR 7.63. To enhance the quality of training, Staff Training Programme was introduced at Government I.T.I, Ambattur in the year 1980. Under this scheme, Junior Training Officers / Assistant Training Officers of this Department are trained in the latest teaching techniques, use of audio visual aids, man managements etc., for a period of 15 working days. The Training Programme also includes visits to modern factories. 7.64. Teaching techniques include training in instructional system, curriculum development, principles of teaching, testing and evaluation method, production of teaching aids etc., 1,791 Junior Training Officers / Assistant Training Officers were benefitted by this Scheme. 7.65. To keep pace with the rapid technological development, Instructional staff are deputed for training to various Institutions run by Government of India. WIREMAN HELPER COMPETENCY EXAMINATION 7.66. Candidates of 21 years of age having a minimum work experience of 5 years under an Electrical Contractor or in a recognized establishment are allowed to appear for

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this examination. The examination is conducted once in 3 years and the last examination was held in December, 2009. 4,586 candidates have appeared for the “Wireman Helper Competency” exams and Certificates will be issued to the successful candidates. CRAFTSMEN HELPER COMPETENCY EXAMINATION 7.67. Competency Examination is conducted in the trades such as Plumber, Tailoring, Cook General, Welder (Electricity and Gas), Building Construction and Two Wheeler Mechanic and Competency Certificates are issued by SCVT. COMPUTERISATION OF EXAMINATION SYSTEM 7.68. Every year, nearly 75,000 trainees are appearing for the trade test / examination under Craftsmen Training Scheme, Apprenticeship Training Scheme and Industrial School Pattern. The examination system has been computerised and computerised Provisional Certificates to the passed out trainees and Mark sheets to the failed trainees are issued. An Examination Cell has been formed at the Head Quarters as per Government Order. 7.69. The results of the All India Trade Test is declared in the website www.tn.nic.in.

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE SCHEME 7.70. There is a budget provision of Rs.1.6 crores per ITI to upgrade the facilities for offering multi skill training of world class, catering to the need of the cluster of Industries in and around the ITIs. There is a provision of multi entry and multi exit facility with the course curriculum designed in consultation with the Industry. 7.71. In Tamil Nadu, under Centre – State Share in the ratio of 75:25, so far, 19 Government Industrial Training Institutes have been taken up for upgradation into CoE. Of which 5 Government ITIs were taken up in 2005 for Upgradation under domestic funding at an outlay of Rs.160 lakhs per centre. In 2006, 5 Government ITIs under International Development Association (IDA) funding and in 2007, 6 Government ITIs and in 2008, 3 Government ITIs were upgraded under World Bank Funding at an outlay of Rs.3.5 crore per centre. Three more ITIs were taken up for upgradtiaon under World Bank funding at an outlay of Rs.2 crores per ITI in 2009. Thus an amount of Rs.63 crores have been sanctioned under the scheme.

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UPGRADATION OF GOVERNMENT ITIs UNDER PUBLIC – PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP MODE

7.72. Government of India has launched a new scheme for upgradation of Government Industrial Training Institutes through Public Private Partnership mode.

7.73. Under this Scheme, Rs.2.5 crores interest free soft loan is sanctioned to each ITI through IMC Society, which is headed by an Industrial Representative. ITIs are upgraded through this Scheme by constructing new building, procuring new tools and equipment etc.

7.74. 28 Government ITIs are taken up for upgradation under this Scheme from the year 2007. MODULAR EMPLOYABLE SKILL FOR UNEMPLOYED YOUTH (STATE SCHEME)

7.75. With a view to improve the employability of School drop outs, Industrial Workers and less educated the State Government has announced a scheme viz., Modular Employable Skill for Unemployed Youth which is first of its kind in India and the free short term skill training is imparted through Government Industrial Training Institutes from the year 2007.

7.76. During the year 2008 - 2009, 48,135 have been given free skill training in 60 Government Industrial Training Institutes and 1 Basic Training Centre at a cost of Rs.537.90 lakhs and successful trainees were issued SCVT certificates. 7.77. During the year 2009 - 2010, Government had sanctioned a sum of Rs.489.57 lakhs and now the scheme is implemented. SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE UNDER MODULAR EMPLOYABLE SKILLS (GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SCHEME) 7.78. The objective of the Scheme is to provide Vocational training to school leavers and existing workers, ITI graduates etc. to improve their employability by optimally utilizing the infrastructure available in Government / Private institutions and the Industry. Training is offered in 1099 modules in various levels. 7.79. This scheme is implemented in 56 Government I.T.Is and 2 Basic Training Centres in Tamil Nadu. 7.80. So far, In Tamilnadu 398 Vocational Training providers have been registered which includes Government Industrial Training Institutes, Private Industrial Training Centres and Corporates. Under

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SDI – MES scheme, nearly 40,000 candidates were issued with the Government of India short term training Certificates. ESTABLISHING 1500 ITIs AND 5000 SDCS UNDER PPP MODE 7.81. In Tamil Nadu, there are 68 unserviced blocks where there is no Industrial Training Institute or Private Industrial Training Centre. Under the Government of India scheme of Establishing 1500 Industrial Training Institutes and 5000 Skill Development Centres under Public Private Partnership mode in the Country, 37 new I.T.Is are proposed to be set up in 24 Districts mainly in the SC / ST concentration areas, minority concentration areas, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), naxal affected areas and MSME clusters with the Government of India assistance. 7.82. Similarly, 50 places in 30 districts for giving Vocational training is planned to be set up preferably in a cluster of about 10 - 12 villages with the preferred location close to the common service centres (CSC) set up by the Department of Information Technology under Public Private Partnership mode in 50 Skill Development Centres.

ESTABLISHMENT OF TAMIL NADU ACADEMY OF CONSTRUCTION 7.83. Government has decided in principle to set up an Academy for Construction and issued orders for establishing Tamil Nadu Academy of Construction under Public-Private Partnership mode to ensure a faster growth of skilled force in the construction sector. A site measuring about 25 acres has been identified in Chengalpet within the ITI campus to establish Tamil Nadu Academy of Construction. STATE LEVEL MISSION FOR SKILL DEVELOPMENT 7.84. A State Skill Development Mission is set up in the State under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister with the Hon’ble Labour Minister as Vice-Chairman and Secretaries of various Departments as Members. Activities are under progress to involve all Government Departments for offering various skill training by re-orientation of skill Development Schemes qualitatively and quantitatively to enhance the scope of employability and ability to adapt to the changing technologies and labour market demands, improving productivity and living standards of the people besides strengthening competitiveness of the country in achieving the goal of providing 50 crore skilled workforce by 2022 in the Country.

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CHAPTER – VIII

OVERSEAS MANPOWER CORPORATION LIMITED 8.1. On 30.11.1978, Overseas Manpower Corporation Limited was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956. It is owned by the Government of Tamilnadu and is registered under 1984 Emigration Act. The Government of India has permitted the Overseas Manpower Corporation to send thousand and above Emigrants for overseas employment. The main aim of the Corporation is to recruit Indian job seekers in general and Tamilnadu job seekers in particular in the foreign countries. PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE 8.2. From its inception, 28,420 persons have registered for seeking overseas placement with this Corporation. During the financial year 2009-10, the Corporation has conducted the Registration Camp in various Districts of Tamilnadu in order to avoid their travel, time and expenses to Chennai for registration purpose. During this camp, more than 11,424 candidates were registered for seeking overseas placement. During the financial year, 203 registrants have been deployed to various countries.

VIDEO CONFERENCING FACILITY 8.3. The Corporation has installed the Video Conference facility to conduct interviews by the employers for the OMC candidates in Chennai, from their respective countries. ORIENTATION SKILL UPGRADATION PROGRAMME FOR OVERSEAS INDIAN JOB SEEKERS 8.4. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has introduced Orientation Skill Upgradation Training scheme to the intending emigrants. This training programme help the Indian workers to be very competitive in the overseas job market and also provides the latest domain knowledge in their trade and also make them accustom with the latest technology. The Corporation has trained 7,110 persons during the year 2008 - 2009. MALAYSIAN INDUCTION COURSE: 8.5. The Malaysian Government has planned to implement the Malaysian Induction Course to workers who intend to work at Malaysia and provide training the subjects like Art, Culture and Labour Acts and issue course completion certificate through the authorized Malaysian Training Providers, to enable them to obtain Visa.

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SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME FOR NON RESIDENT INDIANS. 8.6. Overseas Manpower Corporation has also implemented the Social Security Scheme for Non-Resident Indians. This scheme, covers under Accident and Hospitalisation expenses for a period of five years by paying one time premium by them. So far, 600 Non Resident Indian were benefited under this scheme.

CHAPTER – IX

EMPLOYEES STATE INSURANCE SCHEME

9.1. The ESI Scheme is administered by this duly constituted corporate body, called the ‘Employees State Insurance Corporation’ under the provision of the ESI Act 1948. The Employees State Insurance Scheme is implemented in Tamil Nadu State in accordance with that of the provisions of the ESI Act 1948. The Employees State Insurance Scheme of India is an integrated Social Security Scheme which provides heal to care to the workers of the organized sector. It provides Medical care to the workers and their dependents when they are ill. It also gives medical benefits/compensation benefits to the workers if a disablement or death occurs due to an employment injury or if on occupational begands. This Insurance Scheme also caters medical care to their dependents. Under the ESI Scheme the following benefits are provided to the Insured Persons and their family members. MEDICAL BENEFIT 9.2. Medical facilities to Insured Persons and their dependents are eligible too medical benefits from their very day of entering into insurable employment. Preliminary care, Specialty and Super Specialty treatment

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are provided through a network of ESI Dispensaries, ESI Hospitals and tie up private hospitals. MATERNITY BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.3. Maternity Benefit is payable to Insured Women in case of confinement or miscarriage for 84 days and sickness related to Maternity for further period of 30 days. SICKNESS BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.4. Sickness Benefit is given to an Insured Person in the tern of cash, while he is sick resulting in absence from duties. His absence should be recommended and certified by the concerned Insurance Medical Officer. EXTENDED SICKNESS BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.5. Extended Sickness Benefit is payable to Insured Persons suffering from any of the specified 34 certified long term diseases and need prolonged treatment and rest on medical advice. DEPENDANT’S BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.6. If an Insured Person dies due to employment injury or occupational disease, a dependant benefit is paid to this family members.

DISABLEMENT BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.7. Disablement Benefit is paid to Insured persons who sustained employment injuries resulting in physical disablement and also to those persons suffering from occupational disease. (a) TEMPORARY DISABLEMENT BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.8. Temporary Disablement Benefit at the rate of 70% of wages is payable to temporarily disabled Insured Person till he recovers and the temporary disablement should be certified by authorized Insurance Medical Officer. (b) PERMANENT DISABLEMENT BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.9. Permanent Disablement Benefit is payable to Insured Person for his life time. ENHANCED SICKNESS BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.10. Enhanced Sickness Benefit is paid to Insured Persons in their productive age group for undergoing Sterilization operation viz. Vasectomy / Tubectomy. FUNERAL BENEFIT (BY CASH) 9.11. Amount of Rs.5,000/- is paid as funeral Benefit on death of an Insured Person to the spouse.

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UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE (BY CASH) 9.12. ESI Corporation is providing unemployment allowance to the Insured Person if they are retrenched from the companies and on other specified contingencies, provided Insured Person has put in 3 years of continuous service. He is eligible for 50% of his last month salary paid for a period of maximum 1 year under Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana unemployment allowance. OTHER BENEFITS

1. Free supply of physical aids such as Crutches, Wheel Chairs, Dentures, Spectacles provided under this scheme.

2. Preventive Health Care Services such as

Immunization, HIV / AIDS Detection and treatment are provided.

3. National Programs like Family Welfare activity,

RNTCP are also done.

4. Allowance of Rs.2,500/- is paid to an Insured Woman or to the wife of an Insured Person, in case she does not avail hospital facilities for her confinement.

9.13. Employees drawing wages up to Rs.10,000/- per month is covered under the Scheme. However, the employee affected with disabilities such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and/or Multiple disorders, whose wages is up to Rs.25,000/- per month will also be covered under the Scheme. The ESI Scheme is mainly financed by contributions from employees and employers, at a fixed percentage of a sum equivalent to 1.75% and 4.75% of wages respectively. 9.14. In Tamil Nadu, medical facilities are provided through a network of 184 ESI Dispensaries, 5 Mobile Dispensaries and 2 Utilization Dispensaries (Total 191 ESI Dispensaries) and 9 ESI Hospitals (8 ESI Hospitals are under the control of the State Government and 1 ESI Hospital is under the direct control of the ESI Corporation) with 2,363 beds. UTILISATION DISPENSARY 9.15. The Utilization Dispensaries are run by the employer. The treatment provided at these Dispensaries shall be on pay with the treatments provided at the ESI Dispensaries. The employer is paid capitation fee at the rates prescribed by the ESI Corporation from time to time. At present, the rate is Rs.60/- per Insured Person/Year. There are 2 Utilization Dispensaries in Tamil Nadu.

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1. Utilisation Dispensary, Dalmia Cements (Bharat) Limited.

2. Dalmiapuram, Tiruchirapalli District. 3. Utilisation Dispensary, E.I.D. Parry (India) Ltd.,

Ranipet, Vellore District. 9.16. The 7/8th of the expenditure on the medical facilities subject to a ceiling of Rs.1,200/- per Insured Person is (w.e.f. 01.04.2009) paid by the ESI Corporation, New Delhi. NEW AREA INCLUDED DURING 2009 – 2010 9.17. The Government is always keen on extending Schemes to the new geographical areas as per needs. During the year 2009 - 2010, the extended medical care to the following areas is as follows:-

Name of the Area District Dispensary with which attached

I.Ps Date of attach-ment

1.Karaikudi Peripherals (Perrattukottai Area)

Sivagangai Karaikudi 1,400 1.5.09

2.Uthamapalayam Area Theni Theni 195 1.5.09

3.Chinnamanur Area Theni Theni 200 1.5.09

4.Pudukottai Area Tuticorin Tuticorin 2,509 1.5.09

5.Cumbum Municipality area Theni Theni 599 1.5.09

6.Nagercoil Peripherals Kanyakumari Nagercoil 795 1.8.09

7.Sivakasi Peripherals Virudhunagar Sivakasi 4,360 1.8.09

8.Chitteri Village Vellore Arakonam 285 1.8.09

9.Sivakasi Peripherals Virudhunagar Thiruthangal 196 1.9.09

10.Valliyoor Area Tirunelveli Nanguneri 1,290 1.9.09

TOTAL 11,829

SIDDHA UNITS 9.18. The Siddha units were opened at ESI Hospital, Hosur on 24.10.2009, Trichy on 03.12.2009 and Sivakasi on 08.12.2009. At present, Siddha Units are functioning in all the ESI Hospitals.

CONSTITUTION OF HOSPITAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

9.19. Hospital development committee has been constituted in the ESI Hospitals for the maintenance and minor and major repairs of the ESI buildings, and also for the purchase and repair of two equipments in the Hospitals and Dispensaries.

1. Medical Superintendent - Chairman 2. Deputy Medical Superintendent - Convener 3. Employers’ Representatives - 2 Nos.

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4. Employees’ Representatives - 2 Nos. 5. Staff Representative - 1 No. 6. Representative of State Labour Dept. - 1 No. 7. Local Member(s) from ESI Corporation/Regional Board 8. Manager, Branch Office, ESI Corpn. - 1 No. REVOLVING FUND 9.20. The ‘Revolving Fund’ is created by the ESI Corporation in the year 2004. It is created for the purpose of quick settlement of the treatment (Medical and Surgical) bills of the Insured Persons and family members in Private Hospitals. Treatment bills of Specialty and Super Specialty disease also can be reimbursed. During the financial year 2009 - 2010, treatment bills at private hospitals amounting to Rs.4,10,00,221/ for the Specialty / Super Specialty disease have been settled. PACKAGE DEAL 9.21. Under Package Deal, agreements have been made with 43 private Hospitals for the convenience of the Insured Persons and their families to take Specialty and Super Specialty Treatment. The Insured Persons and their family members are admitted to the Hospitals as per the recommendations of the concerned ESI Hospitals. The Insured Persons are free from paying the medical

expenses to the private Hospitals after treatment. The Hospital Bills are directly settled by the ESI Corporation under Package Deal. During the financial year 2009 - 2010, an amount of Rs.69,04,500/- under this package deal has been settled. COMPUTERISATION 9.22. During the year 2009 - 2010, all the ESI Hospitals, ESI Dispensaries, Regional Administrative Medical Officer (ESIS) offices and ESI Directorate were provided with sufficient computers. During this year, all the ESI Hospitals and ESI Dispensaries will be connected through broad band by LAN and WAN all over India to provide the quality treatment to the Labour population under ESI Scheme. Subsequent to the implementation of IT Roll out, the Insured Persons and their family members can take treatments anywhere in India. SCHEME ACTIVITIES 9.23. The State Government have permitted the ESI Corporation to construct 50 bedded ESI Hospital at Tirunelveli and Tiruppur. The ESI Corporation had laid down the foundation stone on 27.10.2009 for the construction of a centralized Air conditioned 50 bedded ESI Hospital at Tirunelveli.

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9.24. The ESI Corporation is searching for a suitable land for the construction of 50 bedded ESI Hospital at Tiruppur. 9.25. The State Government have given concurrence to establish Medical Post Graduate Degree and Diploma courses at ESI Hospital, Ayanavaram and to start Medical College at ESI Hospital, Coimbatore. Subsequent to the completion of the requisite building and essential facilities by the ESI Corporation, the above Institutions will function.

CHAPTER – X

EMPLOYEES’ PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION, TAMILNADU

10.1. With a view to provide social security to the working class, the Government of India enacted the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, enabling an employee to get benefits on retirement and for his dependents in the case of his premature death. 10.2. There are three schemes at present under the Act viz. Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952, Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 and Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976. 10.3. There are 4 Regional Offices headed by Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (Grade-I) in the state of Tamilnadu at Chennai, Tambaram, Coimbatore and Madurai. There are 7 Sub-Regional Offices presently functioning in the State and are headed by Regional Provident Fund Commissioners (Grade-II) at Ambattur, Vellore, Puducherry, Salem, Trichy, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil.

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COVERAGE OF ESTABLISHMENTS VOLUNTARY COVERAGE 10.4. Any establishment which is not coverable statutorily under the Act may also come on voluntary basis for the extension of benefits under the Scheme. STATUTORY COVERAGE 10.5. The Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 is applicable to every establishment employing 20 or more persons and falls under a factory engaged in any industry specified in Schedule I or to class of establishments, which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify in this behalf. At present the list covers 186 different industries / class of establishments. RATE OF CONTRIBUTION 10.6. The employer will pay a matching contribution @ 12% out of which a part of contribution @ 8.33% will be diverted to Pension Fund. The member will contribute at the rate of 12% of his salary as Provident Fund Contribution. Only the employer is required to contribute at the rate of 0.5% of the total salary of the employees towards Employees Deposit Linked Insurance.

SERVICE DELIVERY TO MEMBERS UNDER THE SCHEME EMPLOYEES’ PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME, 1952

1. The Provident Fund members can avail advances/withdrawals for purchase of site / house constructions, marriage, higher education, illness, closure of establishments etc.

2. The Provident Fund accumulations of the

members are payable on retirement or on leaving the service. In case of premature death, the Provident Fund is payable to Nominee(s) or Family members.

3. The Provident Fund accumulations of the

members can be transferred on change of employment for ensuring continuity of membership and coverage.

10.7. The details of settlement made during the year 2009 – 2010 (upto 28.02.2010) to the members under different categories of Employees’ Provident Funds Scheme, 1952.

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2009 – 2010 (upto 28.02.2010)

Final Settlement Withdrawals / Advances Transfers

No. of cases settled

Amount settled (Rs. in lakh)

No. of cases

sanctioned

Amount Granted (Rs. in lakh)

No. of cases

transferred

3,86,180 1,23,530 36,931 14,304 48,355

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 10.8. The members are informed of the balance of Provident Fund accumulations including interest credited every year through the individual Annual Statement of Accounts in Form 23. 10.9. The details of Annual Statement of accounts issued during the year 2009 – 2010 (upto 31.01.2010) are furnished below:

No. of establishments Number of Slips

10,623 26,76,575

EMPLOYEES’ PENSION SCHEME, 1995 10.10. The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 was introduced by the Government of India with effect from 16.11.1995 replacing the erstwhile Employees Family Pension Scheme, 1971. Under the old Scheme, Pension was payable to the spouse in case of death of the member, whereas under the new scheme, pension is paid to the member himself on retirement in addition to the family pension. The Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 provides for issue of Scheme Certificates to the members on leaving the establishment to carry over their pension membership on joining another establishment. While an option is given to members who have not rendered 10 years of service to take a lump sum withdrawal benefit, on ceasing their pension membership. 10.11. The number of withdrawal benefits sanctioned / Scheme Certificates issued during the year 2009 – 2010 (upto 28.02.2010) is given below:

2009 – 2010 (upto 28.02.2010)

No. of withdrawal cases settled 43,127

Amount settled (Rs. in lakh) 27,549

No. of Scheme Certificates issued 2,57,780

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EMPLOYEES’ DEPOSIT LINKED INSURANCE SCHEME, 1976 10.12. The Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme, 1976 came into force with effect from 01.08.1976. Under the Scheme, on the death of a member while in service, the person entitled to receive the provident fund accumulation is paid an additional amount equal to the average balance in the provident fund account of the deceased during the preceding 12 months. The maximum benefit available under the Scheme is Rs.60,000/-. 10.13. The details of settlements were made during the year 2009 – 2010 (upto 28.02.2010) is furnished below:

2009 – 2010 (upto 28.02.2010)

No. of settlements 1,750

Amount settled (Rs. in lakh) 372

COMPLIANCE MACHINERY

10.14. The compliance status of the covered establishments are monitored through the compliance machinery to identify and arrest the default of establishments to bring into the ambit of the Act all the coverable establishments.

10.15 The details of the quantum of realisable arrears raised, collected and balance for the year 2009 – 2010 (upto 28.02.2010) is given below:-

(Rupees in lakhs)

Year Realisable amount due

Amount recovered

Balance at the end of the year

2009 – 2010 (upto

28.02.2010)

15,559

10,432

5,127

PUBLIC GRIEVANCES HANDLING SYSTEM REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES

10.16. As a measure of ensuring quicker services to members a token system is installed in the Facilitation Centre. The visiting member may also meet the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner and the Officers in Charge of Sub-Regional offices who will personally hear the grievances of the members who call on them on all working days even without prior appointments.

BHAVISHYANIDHI ADALAT

10.17. The Bhavishyanidhi Adalats are held on 10th of every month or the next working day in case 10th happens to be a holiday in all the offices. The redressals of grievances through Bhavishyanidhi Adalats have been very encouraging.

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LAUNCHING OF WEBSITE

10.18. A WEBSITE – “www.epfochennai.tn.nic.in” for Chennai region designed by NIC, Tamil Nadu was launched for benefit of the members.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL WORKERS

10.19. The special provisions apply to all Foreign nationals employed in an establishment in India to which the Act applies and to the Indian nationals coming under the purview of Social Security Agreements entered into by the Government of India. Every eligible international worker shall be enrolled with effect from 01.11.2008 subject to exclusion provisions. Contribution is payable on total salary without any wage ceiling.

INCENTIVE TO EMPLOYERS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR PROVIDING REGULAR EMPLOYMENT TO THE PERSONS WITH DIFFERENTLY ABLED:

10.20. Government of India has brought out an Incentive Scheme for promoting employment to persons with Differently Abled in the private sector. The Scheme is effective from 01.04.2008 and would cover employees with Differently Abled (a person with Differently Abled as defined under Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights and full Participation Act, 1995) with monthly wage upto Rs.25,000/-. The incentive would be in the form of payment by Government of the employer’s contribution to the Employees Provident Fund for the first three years.

CHAPTER – XI New Schemes brought under Part – II Schemes

for the year 2010 – 2011

Sl. No. Description of the Scheme

Expenditure (Rupees in

lakhs) 1.

Secretariat Purchase of 18 Printers, 31 Computers and 1 Xerox Machine

11.00

2.

Labour Computerisation in the Labour Department

39.00

3.

Provision of 5 Xerox Machines to the Head Office and District Level Offices

3.10

4.

Replacement of 10 existing Physical Balances to Digital Balances 15.50

5.

Purchase of five water purifiers in the Commissioner of Labour Building 0.75

6.

Employment and Training Purchase of furniture under Unemployment Assistance Scheme

20.00

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7.

Construction of building for Employment Office at Dindigul 49.50

8. Purchase of one Fax Machine 0.15

9.

Purchase of Video Camera along with LCD Projector 1.15

10.

Purchase of four Xerox Machines for District Employment Offices at Tirunelveli, Salem, Villupuram and Vellore

2.00

11.

Construction of waiting shed at District Employment Office, Coimbatore

2.95

12.

Strengthening of Exam Cell at Headquarters 4.50

13.

Renovation of hostel at Government ITI., Dharapuram 23.46

14.

Inspectorate of Factories e-Governance - Purchase of 7 Computers with UPS and Printers

3.13

15.

Repair and renovation of 30 years old Government residential quarters situated at Tirunelveli, Udhagamandalam and Pudukkottai

9.41

16.

Medical and Rural Health Services (ESIS) Purchase of 2 Cars for Director and Joint Director

1.50

17.

Purchase of Car for Regional Administrative Medical Officers (ESIS), Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Salem

2.95

18.

Purchase of Seven Laptop to the Directorate and Regional Offices 0.44

19.

Purchase of five over head Projectors 0.81

20.

Purchase of Photo Copier for the Directorate 0.19

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21.

Purchase of Mortuary Van for ESI Hospital, Coimbatore 0.29

22.

Purchase of one Ultra Sound Scan Machine for ESI Hospital, Trichy 0.63

23.

Purchase of Medical Equipments for the ESI Hospital at Ayanavaram and Salem

7.59

Total

200.00

T.M. ANBARASAN MINISTER FOR LABOUR