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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Mines Act amendment to benefit 55 lakh workers

Mines Act amendment to benefit 55 lakh workers

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published Published on Jan 5, 2011   modified Modified on Jan 5, 2011

It will be tabled in the budget session of Parliament: Kharge

Manmohan's nod obtained for amendment

17 amendments to impose higher penalties

In a move that will benefit 55 lakh workers in the mining sector in the country, the Union Labour and Employment Ministry is amending the National Mines Act 1952. The Amendment Bill would be tabled during the budget session of Parliament.

Announcing this at a press conference at the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee here on Tuesday, Labour and Employment Minister M. Mallikarjun Kharge said that he had obtained the approval of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Cabinet meeting on December 30 for amending the Act.

Mr. Kharge, who was received by Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee president G. Parameshwara, said that he visited the party office as directed by party president Sonia Gandhi.

The Act had not been amended since 1983 and hence, sufficient relief could not be given to the victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy. In all, there would be 17 amendments to the Act for imposing heavy fines and increased terms of imprisonment to those superior to the manager up to the owner of the mines and contractors or sub-contractors or those working on their behalf and control the mines, for any violation of the provisions of the Act affecting the safety and security of workers.

To whole of India

The proposed amendments, Mr. Kharge said, envisaged extending the Act to the whole of India, including areas coming under the jurisdiction of Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zones and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976. The Act substitutes the definition of owner to make it more comprehensive and specific, define the “foreign company” and its owners/directors living abroad with reference to the Companies Act 1956.

It will provide for appointment of officials in addition to agent of employer in the mines, increase in the penalties provided in the various sections and to shift the burden of proof upon the person who is being prosecuted or proceeded against, he added.

Workers engaged in gas extraction, stone cutting, coal, oil and stone quarries used to get less relief during mishaps or tragedies in mines.

The term of imprisonment for violation of safety rules would be extended to five years from three, and for serious violations, it would be extended to seven years from five.

It is going to be a major achievement of the United Progressive Alliance Government when the amendments to the Act are passed in Parliament.

Mr. Kharge said that this would regulate the working conditions and environment in the mines making it more humane. It would also help provide for measures to prevent accidents and occupational diseases while at the same time containing provisions for some basic amenities to mine workers. It prescribes a system of inspection of mines for the enforcement of the law.

About the lack of justice to contract workers, the Minister said that poor workers were suffering due to outsourcing and were working for poor wages. He said that a task force was being constituted in his Ministry to look into this problem. He said that it could be solved, if the employers, the employees' union and the Government cooperate in bringing amendments to Labour Laws. The increased wages would enhance their purchasing capacity, he added.


The Hindu, 5 January, 2011, http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/05/stories/2011010558422200.htm


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