PIA lauds Bank Account Opening Mela for Unorganized Workers

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In line with the Centre’s direction to move towards a less cash economy, the Labour Department has facilitated the opening of over 75,000 bank accounts for unorganised workers across the State.

According to Labour Department officials, the number of accounts opened was anywhere between 75,000 and one lakh from Dec 2 in 2,129 camps held at lead banks and also at work sites to help workers from unorganised sectors open accounts speedily. The Centre had directed the Department to push ahead with such camps.

Welcoming the initiative taken by Labour Minister Sri Santosh Lad, PIA President, Sri R. Krishnamurthy said this move will definitely help employer-units to move towards cashless payments. “We have instances in Peenya Industrial Area where many factory workers do not have a bank account and so the employer is forced to pay the salary in cash. With this drive to get accounts of workers opened, hopefully this compulsion of paying their salaries in cash will greatly come down,” he said.

The State is estimated to have over more than one crore labourers in the unorganised sector and these initiatives are likely to continue for some time.

According to officials, the workers felt harassed when they visited the banks to open accounts and had to make repeated visits losing their daily wages in the bargain. The Labour Department holds many camps at their work spot and ensures bank officials visit there and hands over application forms.

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