Reschedule work hours to mitigate effect of extreme heatwaves, Centre tells States

Image for representation.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Union Labour Ministry has advised all States and Union Territories to take effective measures to reduce the impact of extreme heatwaves on workers and labourers engaged in different sectors. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said his Ministry has written to Chief Secretaries and Administrators on the need to issue directions to employers, construction companies, and industries to put in place necessary steps to mitigate the adverse effects of extreme heatwave conditions on workers.

“The letter recommended a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach listing out various steps, including rescheduling of working hours, ensuring adequate drinking water facilities, ventilation and cooling of workplaces, rest areas, conducting regular health check-ups for workers, and providing emergency ice packs and heat illness prevention materials to construction workers,” Mr. Mandaviya said.

He added that the managements of mines and factories would be asked to allow a slower pace of work, flexible schedules, two-person crews during times of extreme heat, and proper ventilation in underground mines. The Minister said construction and brick kiln workers would receive special attention.

Various arms of the Labour Ministry will conduct awareness sessions and training programmes about the causes and impact of heatwaves, recognising heat stress, and preventive strategies and ways to mitigate the adverse effects of heatwaves.

ESIC services expanded

The services of the Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) had been expanded by the Narendra Modi government, Mr. Mandaviya said. “In 2014, ESIC was implemented in 393 districts of the country, which is now extended to 691 districts,” he said.

Mr. Mandaviya said the ESIC, in a recent meeting, had approved in-principle the establishment of 10 new ESIC medical colleges, and proposed 10 new medical colleges in different cities, including Pune, Kollam, Visakhapatnam, and Margao. Ga6789