Release of IGFP Calendar 2021 & Workshop on Impact of Covid-19 on SME/Small Business with Focus on Way Forward 2021

Partners –MSME Department Govt of Odisha (TBC), BG BAU, Germany (TBC), Small Scale Industries Association, Cuttack (TBC) & IGFP

Suggestion for Postal Voting Right to Migrant Workers to CEC of India- An Initiative of IGFP

MEMORANDAM

 FOR

POSTAL BALLOT VOTING FOR MIGRANT WORKERS

In recent years due to Covid- 19 the plight of the migrant workers has been highlighted in various forums bring out the extent of their distress. 

Our organization, Indo German Focal Point (IGFP), has been actively taking various steps and discussing with experts in this field to find out ways and means of preventing the suffering of these workers. IGFP basically works on “activities on occupational safety and health in India with the expertise of German partners, viz., DGUV having MOU with DG FASLI, Ministry of Labour and Employment. Recently, we held a Webinar on migrant workers chaired by Dr. Ajay Dua, former Secretary to Government of India. That Seminar came out with various recommendations to improve the working conditions of the migrant workers and one of those suggestions being that migrants workers should be given voting right to be exercised  away from home. 

Migrant workers in our country are of sizable magnitude. The member was 335 million persons in 2001 which is now over 400 million or so, at present. Interstate migration takes place mostly from the States of Utter Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Jharkhand and North Eastern States. The major destinations are Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Kerala. Most of them move with their families from the villages. The net result is, at the time of election either of the State Assembly or of the Parliament, this sizable chunk of voters are left out as they do not enjoy the privilege of postal voting. According to Election Commission’s present policy the following categories are entitled to postal voting: – 

1. Personnel in Armed forces Including para-military forces
2. People working in Govt and posted abroad
3. People engaged in election duty

Thus the category of migrant labour is now not eligible for postal voting but looking at the size of the migrant population spread over various parts of the country, there seems to be a need for making them eligible for postal voting to ensure their participation in democratic processes of the nation. It will be fulfilling the dictum of inclusive democracy which can hardly be overlooked now keeping the example available in other democracies. Briefly speaking, if we look around the globe, we get the following procedures being in vogue which add to our presentation: –

In Australia, any voter living at a distance of 24km or more are eligible for postal ballot system since 1866. In Austria, any one can opt for postal voting. In Canada, this facility is available to all the citizens since 2007.USA citizens have exercised this facility in the recently held Presidential election. In Germany, about 29% of the eligible citizens use this facility. In UK also this facility is available liberally for all eligible citizens. In the birthplace of democracy.ie UK, Postal voting does not require a reason.

By giving migrant labourers the right to cast their vote through postal ballot, the Election Commission of India would be taking a step towards a more inclusive democracy, ensuring that every segment of the adult and eligible Indian population gets to cast their vote and is not excluded for reasons of exigencies of their profession. More importantly, it appears, we should like to be in line with more liberal procedures available in other distinguished democracies of the World.

Compiled by 

B N Som ACIArb (UK)

Secretary to GOI(retd)

Vice-Chairman,CAT(retd)

Ph: 9433046971

With Support of Advisory Board of Indo German Focal Point –Prevention & Social Security (IGFP) November 2020

                   ***************

Suggestions to Union Labour Secretary for Postal Voting Right to Migrant Workers & Inclusion of Vision Zero 7 Golden Rules in Rules being Finalized involving OSH Code 2020- An Intiative of IGFP

Respected Mr. Apurva Chandra (Union Labour Secretary),
While the entire country is with the Government in tackling the Menace of Covid19 Pandemic since March 2020, One Significant & Serious Issue is being witnessed starting from Panchayat to Parliament- The Plight of Migrant workers rushing back to their Home States due to Loss of Job/ Fear of Pandemic. with Approximately 500 Million Migrant Workers In our country with significant contribution to the National Economy, it seems somewhere their Constitutional Right to Vote in Elections is either Lost or being deprived in whatever way one sees because of being away from His/Her Home State where registered as A Voter. The Greater need of Livelihood makes him/her to work in Host state for fear of losing Job or cannot afford to spend Money required to visit Home state. Pandemic & Lockdown have brought the necessity for such Migrant workers be A Force to reckon with @ Political/Administrative Structure which in India”s context ” Exercise of Voting ‘has A Great Strength.
In view of above Factual position, it is of utmost necessity now to put in place A System which shall ensure that such Migrant Worker exercise their Rightful Vote while continuing @ Host State for Livelihood by allowing ” Postal Voting Rights for Migrant Workers in India ” as allowed to Defence Personnel ect .To this effect, Indo German Focal Point ( IGFP ) after carefully analysing the Issue through Webinar & Discussion ect has submitted A Memorandum to Honourable Chief Election Commission of India with support of Eminent Civil Servants like Dr Ajay Dua & Mr. B N Som Former Secretary to Govt. of India who is kind enough to Draft this Memorandum which is enclosed herewith. It is gratifying to find support from Chief Election Officer & Secretary to Govt of Tamilnadu by forwarding the Memorandum of IGFP to CEC India. ( Copy Enclosed )

1. May i request your kindself to take the Lead in recommending to CEC India for ” Grant of Postal Voting Rights to Migrant Workers ” which shall carry importance with Labour Ministry being the Nodal Ministry for Welfare of Workers in the Country. Factual Position with Facts & Illustrations/Examples within the Country & International Practice involving Migrant Workers are stated well in the Memorandum.

. Another Issue which assumes urgency & Importance, particularly during Pandemic & Post Lockdown is ” A Safe Workplace for Workers in their Workplaces- Industries & for Self Employed also “. With Good number of Industrial & Road Accidents in our Country , we are not only losing Lives but also adversely affecting Productivity/Loss to GDP, besides effect on Medical Infrastructure. It is in this background, International Social Security ( ISSA ) to which India is An Active Member has Launched in 2017 ” 7 Golden Rules for Zero Accident & Death @ Workplaces ” as follows:-

7 Golden Rules for Vision Zero

1. Take leadership – demonstrate commitment
2. Identify hazards – control risks
3. Define targets – develop programmes
4. Ensure a safe and healthy system –be well-organized
5. Ensure safety and health in machines, equipment and workplaces
6. Improve qualifications – develop competence
7. Invest in people – motivate by participation It is a rare privilege for Indo German Focal Point ( IGFP ) which has been taking up OSH Activities in India through International/National Vision Zero Symposiums/Conference, Street Plays, Song Video Contest & through Publications ect with strong support of German Social Accident Insurance ( DGUV ) which is having MOU with DGFASLI ( MOL ) & IGFP has coordinated to get Vision Zero Golden Rules translated to Hindi to reach our Workers & Industries including Self Employed- Stay Safe & Secured which in today”s Pandemic is the Highest Priority for All.

2. Now that OSH WellBeing Code 2020 Rules are being Finalized, it seems An Opportune Time to get 7 Golden Rules embedded in Rules involving OSH Code 2020 for which Vision Zero 7 Golden Rules Guidebook in English & Hindi is enclosed herewith. Implementation of Vision Zero Golden Rules should Prove A Game Changer involving the Workers, Industries & for Economy as a whole.

It is our Fervent request that your kindself may discuss above Two Suggestions- 1. Postal Voting Rights to Migrant Workers & 2. Adoption of 7 Golden Rules of Vision Zero with State Labour Secretary/ BOCW State welfare Board Review Meetings under your Leadership.
IGFP will be @ your Call to provide Technical Support ,if & when required by MOLinvolving Above Two Suggestions including training for Construction Workers through State Welfare Boards for which DO Letter sent to the then Union Labour Secretary from Our German Partner ( DGUV ) is enclosed for ready reference please.
With Utmost Regards
Mr B.K Sahu

Former Insurance Commissioner, ESIC, Ministry of Labour,
Communication Adviser To Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, IRDA,
Now Director @ Indo- German Focal Point- Prevention & Social Security For India , DGUV
Land No- 0674-2386668,
Mobile- 9040590798/ 9818098844
Our Website:-www.indogermanfocalpoint.com

Awareness Program on Safety& Health (OSH) for Contractors of Outsourcing Agencies (Sanitation) Engaged by BMC with Focus on Covid-19 Preventive Measures & Social Security Schemes of Govt of India/Odisha Construction Board on 27th Nov 2020 (Friday) @ Red Cross Bhawan, Unit-9, Bhubaneswar

IMFP 2021 Shortlist Announcement

Winning video of KITT for 2019 with English Subtitles

Half Day Workshop on Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) for Construction Workers with Focus on Covid-19 Preventive Measures @ Jharsuguda on 14th October 2020 Through VC @ IGFP & Physical Meeting @ Jharsuguda

Report Card of IGFP Activities During Lockdown 2020

In this difficult situation when physical distance is the norms,  thereby  preventing any activity, IGFP has continued it’s goal in creating Awareness & connecting with stakeholders through 

1. 2webinars on migrant workers 

2. Talk on migrant workers

3.support through  Rescue Relief activities 

4.Updating Website through E-Publication Page,  bribing latest on OSH good practices

5.Suggestions to Policymakers on healthcare relief ect

6.Arranging construction  talk by international speaker in FICCI  program 

7. Networking for Activities of cooperation on OSH with Labour secretary of Sikkim JK Punjab &UT Chandigarh 

8.Updating PPTs / Publicity materials News letter of IGFP.

9.Connecting with Vision Zero ISSA & ESIC for Translation work from English to Hindi Guide Book on Vision Zero & Participating in their webinar on Launch of Leading Indicators.All these could be done due to Unstinted support from our German partners and  Advisory board of IGFP with supporters ect

This report card is in response to one Well-wishes to bring  on ground  IGFP activities 

With Cheers
Mr B.K Sahu
Former Insurance Commissioner, ESIC, Ministry of Labour, 
Communication Adviser To Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, IRDA,
Now Director @ Indo- German Focal Point- Prevention & Social Security For India , DGUV
Land No- 0674-2386668, Mobile- 9040590798/ 9818098844

Vision Zero Guide in Hindi,

With the translation of our Vision Zero Guide in Hindi, Vision Zero reaches out to over 500 million workers. The Vision Zero Guide is now available in 14 languages. It is free to download from our website and a great tool to improve your safety culture in your enterprise. We would like to express our thanks to the Indo-German Focal Point Mr. Bimal Sahu, a strong supporter of Vision Zero, who realised this project in close collaboration with Mr. Samsundat Kataria of ESIC Govt. of India and the designers from Pati Graphics.
http://visionzero.global/guides
Issued By
Vision Zero, ISSA
Geneva
23 rd June 2020

Hindi version here.

Independence Day Celebration & Launching of E-Publication Page in Website

Dear Editor/News desk

Indo German Focal Point ( IGFP ) has been taking up Safety & Heath Related Activities ( OSH ) since 2017 with support of German Partners- German Social Accident Insurance ,DGUV in India.

Through Conferences/ Workshops/ Awareness Programs, Street play & Publication, IGFP has been spreading the Message of Zero Tolerance to Accident & Death @ Workplaces -Called Vision Zero articulated by ILO/ ISSA.

As a Part of its efforts to make Easy & Quick reaching to OSH Activities, IGFP has released,  E -Web Page in it’s Website on 15th August 2020 by Mr. Subhash Singh Hon MP & Former Chairman o Construction board along with TU Leaders & Govt Departments involved in OSH Activities. The Objective & Role Ply of this Webpage are:-

Introduction to Webpage:- 

The IGFP has been doing considerable work in the areas of occupational safety, health and child education with particular focus on migrant workers and their families. While we have documented all our activities on our website, we have also generated sufficient material for the benefit of our stakeholders in the form of documents and reports    which we will be hosting on our website through   a new E- page   which will be   user- friendly & informative.

The contents of new E-page are :-

A.       Scavenger programs in Red cross bhawan 2019 program, Questionnaire, Conclusions & Photos,

B.       May 2020 Webinar –Objectives, List of Panelist, Takeaways & Proceeding as

sent by Som Sahib mail to labour secretary

C.       13^th  July Webinar- Objective ,List of panelist Takeaways & Later to Labour

      Minister, Niti Aayog, Standing Committee Labour & PMO, D, Talk on Migrant   

      Worker by R C Khuntia date, Agenda Conclusion with photo,

Pocket size booklet, Safety and health human rights booklet & English to Hindi Vision Zero   Guide book on 7 golden rule to ensure zero accident facalities for workplace.

We will update the contents from time to time with more informative material as we gain new learning’s and experience    from our activities.

Releasing the E page,  Mr Subhash Singh lauded the efforts of IGFP in bringing Awareness  on OSH for workers and industries in Odisha, Particularly in supporting Govt of Odisha ,Labour department in creating awareness on safety & health

Mr Madan Mohan Dhal, Vice President  State INTUC, and Dr Malay Pradhan from OSDMA also spoke  with vote of thanks by Mr Bijay Kumar Das of Vivekananda  School Chandrasekhar  who led in singing National Anthem with All guests and participants

On the occasion, Dr.R .C. Khuntia Former MP & National Vice President INTUC was welcomed as Member of Advisory Board of IGFP.

With Cheers

Mr B.K Sahu

Former Insurance Commissioner, ESIC, Ministry of Labour,                                                                                

Communication Adviser To Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority, IRDA,

Now Director @ Indo- German Focal Point- Prevention & Social Security For India , DGUV

Land No- 0674-2386668,

Mobile- 9040590798/ 9818098844