THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : The state government is committed to ensuring that new generation jobs and technologies do not replace old jobs or deny livelihood to existing workers. “There is a campaign that newer jobs will replace old jobs. This is to weaken workers’ unity. The state can progress only by ensuring workers’ unity,” he said at the Mukhamukham interaction programme with workers held in Kollam on Thursday.
The CM said that Kerala does not witness lockouts and layoffs. “Kerala is the state with the least number of loss of mandays. Still there is a large-scale fake campaign against the state. They allege that the state is not industry-friendly and that the people of Kerala are good workers when outside the state. This is aimed to prevent new industries interested in starting operations in Kerala,” he said.
The CM said the state has now proved that it is industry-friendly. A report by the MSME Export Promotion Council said there were new investments worth Rs 92,000 crore in Kerala during the last five years, 1,39,000 enterprises were started in the state last year as part of the Year of Enterprises programme. Together they had an investment of Rs 8500 crore, and created 3 lakh jobs, he said. Kerala is the only state that instituted awards for best workers and best work places.
The Thozhilali Shreshta Award comprising a purse of Rs 1 lakh and citation is given to best workers in 19 categories. The chief minister’s excellence award is given to 11 workplaces.
The government took several steps to ensure gender justice at workplaces. Studio apartment project was implemented to provide accommodation to working women in urban areas. Domestic helpers were given membership in the welfare fund board for workers in the unorganised sector.