Dinesh Kamath's news 'Labour Mela at Kharghar on 1 May' that was published in Newsband

Labour Mela at Kharghar on 1 May

By Dinesh Kamath

Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action [YUVA] Urban has been working on the issues of urban poverty, environment and governance at the city, state and national levels for the last 30 years. They have strived to empower the urban poor by facilitating their organization and institution.

Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) is an initiative of YUVA Urban that was set up in August 2010. The centre runs a labour helpline for workers in distress and has received over a 170 cases since January 2013 on non payment of earned wages. They also provide other services such as health camps, counselling, assisting workers to procure identity cards as well as issue their own I.D. cards, legal aid, assistance in opening bank accounts, movie screening, empowerment by way of forming labour collectives, registration with the Construction Workers Welfare Board and Domestic Workers Welfare Board. 

There will be a Labour Mela organized on the first of May that will be held on account of Labour Day which recognizes the historic struggles of working people across the world in an attempt to empower them and make them aware of their rights.

The special features of the event are as follows:

•        Collaboration with different stakeholders such as government officials, hospitals, labour department, unions, corporate sector and other Ngo's working for the welfare of labourers in Navi Mumbai.

•        Stalls that offer information pertaining to migrant workers about the Construction Workers Welfare Board, Zero Balance Bank Accounts, Labour Helpline.

•        Assist workers in procuring identity documents such as Pan Cards, Ration Cards, Aadhar.

•        Specifically address health issues of construction workers like Tuberculosis, malaria, skin infections etc.

•        Physical examination and free distribution of medicines to workers.

•        Disseminate information regarding skill development opportunities in the construction industry as well as training on safety at their work place.

•        Film screenings and distribution of awareness material to develop concept on various issues.

•        They will also use this opportunity to recognize workers who have been associated with MRC for a long period of time.

The program will be held at YUVA CENTRE in Kharghar from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on 1 May 2014.

Anybody who would like to volunteer at the event may call Maitreya Hayling at 8108139211 or Shachi Sanghvi at 9870370376 at the earliest.