Bengal govt meets industry reps jute sector seeks ease in 30 workforce rule

    Kolkata, May 10 (PTI) The West Bengal government on
Monday held a meeting with representatives of various
industries and urged them to adhere to the COVID restrictions
and guidelines, besides discussing the issues faced by the
different sectors.
    The jute industry demanded a modification in the
guidelines that allow operations with a maximum of 30 per cent
of the workforce in a shift.
    A representative of the industry said that it has made
their operations unviable.
    The other sectors have been allowed to operate with a
maximum of 50 per cent of their workforce.
    "The jute sector has requested for a relaxation in the
30 per cent workforce criteria, stating that it will be a
major blow to them. The tea industry pointed out that the 50
per cent workforce norm should be reviewed later, if not now.
Other industries have assured to follow the existing
guidelines," a Labour Department official told PTI.
    "The state government has decided to form district-
level committees to monitor the adherence, and also an e-
platform for reporting by the industry will be in place," he
said.
    The virtual meeting was chaired by Labour Secretary
Barun Kumar Ray. Around 90 participants joined the meeting and
it was fruitful, the official said.
    The Indian Jute Mills Association has also written to
the Chief Secretary over the maximum limit of 30 per cent
workforce in a shift.
    "Restricting employment in Jute Mills to only 30 per
cent is bound to create resentment amongst the general body of
workmen," it said.
    IJMA said that operating at these levels will make
mills unviable and more mills will close down. Already, nine
mills have shut down. PTI BSM
SOM SOM

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)