Samba, Mar 6: Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary today underscored the pivotal role of labourers as the backbone of the economy, reaffirming the Jammu and Kashmir government’s commitment to their economic welfare and social security. He was addressing a Workers’ Conference organized by the Labour and Employment Department at Ambedkar Bhawan, Bari-Brahmana, Samba, where officials, stakeholders, and workers participated.

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that safeguarding workers’ rights through effective implementation of labour laws and welfare schemes is a top priority. “Our workers drive economic growth. The government is committed to ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, social security, and dignity of labour for every worker across Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He highlighted the ongoing transformation in labour legislation through the introduction of four Labour Codes, which consolidate 29 existing central labour laws into comprehensive frameworks covering wages, industrial relations, occupational safety, and social security.
“The new Labour Codes simplify laws while strengthening worker protection, ensuring universal minimum wages, improved workplace safety, enhanced social security, and better dispute resolution mechanisms,” he added. The Deputy Chief Minister elaborated:
Code on Wages: Promotes uniform wage regulation, timely payment, and gender equality.
Industrial Relations Code: Strengthens dispute resolution and employer-worker engagement.
Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code: Provides a framework for workplace safety and health standards.
Code on Social Security: Expands welfare coverage to workers across organized and unorganized sectors.
He cited achievements of the Labour Department, noting that in the current financial year, 493 labour welfare cases were settled, with compensation totaling ₹14.27 crore disbursed. He also stressed the importance of worker registration under Central and UT-level schemes, with more than 14,000 registrations and over 11,000 renewals processed through the department’s Single Window online system.
Initiatives such as Shramik Warta, addressing worker grievances directly, and the 24×7 toll-free helpline Shram Mitra were highlighted. “Sixteen Shramik Warta sessions have been held, receiving 358 grievances, most of which have been resolved,” he said.
Deputy CM Choudhary also spoke on infrastructure initiatives, including the construction of Labour Sarais across J&K to provide safe and dignified accommodation for workers from distant areas.
During the programme, financial assistance totaling ₹84,07,071 was distributed to beneficiaries under various welfare schemes, including the Jammu and Kashmir Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (JKBOCWWB), Employees Compensation Act, and ESI schemes.
To raise awareness among workers, a Nukkad Natak (street play) showcased the benefits of labour welfare schemes and key labour law provisions.
The Deputy Chief Minister announced plans to hold similar outreach events in other districts and special conferences for women workers, emphasizing safe and secure work conditions. He appreciated the department’s efforts in connecting directly with workers and urged continuous engagement for feedback and improvement.
Prominent attendees included Labour Commissioner Charandeep, Deputy Labour Commissioner Jammu Sukhpal Singh, Inspector of Factories, Assistant Labour Commissioners of Samba and Jammu, IMO Samba Lalit Mahajan, President of Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA), and Himani Jerath, Assistant Labour Commissioner Samba.