Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Petroleum and Steel met trade union leaders of the steel sector on Tuesday to discuss an array of issues that included labour welfare, manpower succession planning, skill development, safety and wage revision, among several others. Pradhan stressed for the collaborative efforts of management and workmen towards achieving high performance while balancing workmen’s interests.
Union Minister Pradhan said that all payments made to permanent workmen as well as to the contract workmen must be done through digital means to ensure transparency. He further added that civic amenities at townships must match those of a smart city. The minister also said that medical facilities being provided by SAIL will continue and will be modernized. He also added that enhancing cost efficiency and labour welfare are not mutually exclusive goals and will be pursued simultaneously.
Trade union leaders thanked Pradhan and expressed their happiness at minister’s outreach efforts towards workmen. Last month Union Minister Pradhan had visited SAIL’s Bokaro Steel Plant and mines in Jharkhand and had interacted with the employees. Meeting witnessed exchange of positive and constructive dialogue towards strengthening participative culture in the steel industry.