Action Aid and District Labour Department host awareness camp for informal sector workers in Bhubaneswar

New Delhi, September 18, 2023. The Odisha Unorganised Workers Social Security Board (OUWSSB) organized an Unorganized Workers Awareness Camp at the Red Cross Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, in collaboration with the District Labour Department at Khordha; Centre for Child and Women Development, and ActionAid Association. The event aimed to empower informal sector workers by providing essential information about their eligibility for various social security schemes offered by the Government of Odisha.

During the Unorganized Workers Awareness Camp, the District Labour Department in Odisha informed over 150 members of the local community about approximately 50 different categories of informal workers who have recently become eligible for social security benefits. Representatives explained the nature of these schemes, clarified the application process, and ensured that informal workers understood how to access entitlements effectively.The event featured speeches by Sri Pranab Kumar Patro, Divisional Labour Commissioner, Bhubaneswar, and Ms. SomyaRanjiyaDalei, Assistant Labour Officer, Bhubaneswar, who presented the activities of Odisha Unorganized Workers Social Security Board.

Neelambar Mishal, Additional Labour Commissioner, commended the efforts of ActionAid Association and the Centre for Child and Women Development (CCWD) in organizing the program and their dedication to providing information and support to workers for accessing social security benefits. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts and encouraged continued collaboration between ActionAid Association, CCWD, and the government to ensure social security for informal workers. He remarked that “we need to work together for this.”

Mr. Sadasiva Swain, Secretary of CCWD, expressed gratitude for the inclusion of 50 new categories of informal workers under the Social Security Board for Unorganised Workers. He also raised concerns about violence faced by domestic workers and employer unwillingness to provide toilets.

Debabrat Patra, Associate Director of ActionAid Association said that “there is a need for continued engagement with BMC, Department of Labour and civil society actors for fulfilling other asks of unorganised sector workers like building restrooms, urinals, drinking water facilities, Aahara Kendra and giving special attention to over 6500 homeless people in Bhubaneswar who are mostly informal sector workers.”

Smt. Shreemayee Sweta Snigdha Mishra, Hon’ble Chairperson, Odisha Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Bhubaneswar, appreciated the State Government's initiative and encouraged people to help their communities access labour cards under the new initiative.The meeting concluded with the distribution of OUWSSB identity cards and a vote of thanks by Ms. Peepasa Mohapatra, Assistant Labour Officer, Bhubaneswar.This collaborative effort aimed to uplift and protect the rights of informal sector workers in Odisha, contributing to their well-being and livelihoods.