In commemoration of International Labour Day, various programmes were organized by District Legal Services Authorities, Nagaland Builders and Other Construction Workers (NBOCW) and Entrepreneurs Associates on May 1 across the state.
Entrepreneurs Associates: As part of its ongoing initiative “Uplifting Women Street Vendors” project, Entrepreneurs Associates’ (EA) organized a day- long programme at Dimapur in partnership with the Dimapur District Legal Services Authority (DDLSA), the Dr K & T Keditsu Foundation and Caring Friends, India.
A press statement from EA said, Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) of Dimapur-cum-DDLSA secretary, Ajongba Imchen encouraged the vendors to know their rights and be empowered through knowledge.
Coinciding with International Labour Day, the CJM informed the participants of their certain rights and privileges ensured in the constitution.
Reminding that proper toilets and drinking water were the basic needs and should be available to them at all their work places, he encouraged the women to fight for their rights.
Highlighting on the intricacies of the street vendors Act that was passed in India in 2014, he said that the act was yet to be put in place in Nagaland.
CJM and the panel lawyers from DDSLA also interacted with the women and informed them that they could avail their services at any time.
Representing the Dr K &T Keditsu Foundation, Dr. Thejavinuo Keditsu spoke about the common ailments that can affect women at any age and time. Keeping in mind that many of these women sit in areas where there were no proper toilets or facilities to avail drinking water, she said women need to take precautions to enjoy a healthy life.
Addressing the women vendors, CEO and coordinator of EA and social group of ventures, Neichute Doulo, asserted that the only way to get rich was to save, make good investments and seek ways to increase income. Urging the women to be wise in making economic decisions, he highlighted some other livelihood enhancing opportunities that the women can explore to increase their income.
A follow up of a prior session, the second cycle of the programme at Dimapur witnessed sessions on legal rights, health care and financial management.
The participants comprised of around 100 women street vendors from all over Dimapur district.
A session on the saving schemes and products of EA under its cooperatives wing EATACOL was conducted by branch manager Dimapur, Temsurenla Ao.
EA is undertaking the project for women vendors across the state to inform, empower and equip the street vendors to enhance their living standards.
Entrepreneurs Associates had also conducted similar workshops in Kohima and Pfutsero with plans for more in other districts of the state.
KDLSA and NEN: An awareness programme on rights and entitlements of unorganized workers on the occasion of International Labour Day was organised by North East Network (NEN) in collaboration with Kohima District Legal Services Authority (KDLSA) at LCS Building Kohima.
In his address, DC Kohima, Rajesh Soundarajan stressed on the need of a comprehensive scheme to cover all the social, economic and health aspects of the vendors.
He stressed on the importance for vendors to organize themselves while carrying out their business and not to hamper the pedestrian and traffic, and to come up with various plan to look after their business.
Assistant Labour Commissioner, Department of Labour, Avile Vitso also stressed on the various scheme availed in the various department.
Retainer lawyer, Sunjib Rana briefed about the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA) followed by interaction and concluding remarks by Dolly Wotsa, programme associate NEN.
The programme was attended by 47 beneficiaries. Special number was presented by Bamboo Market (vendors) BOC, Kohima and short film ‘My Rights, My identity’ (15 mins) was screened.
NBOCW: In Kohima, 50 construction workers under Kohima wing of the Nagaland Builders and Other Construction Workers (NBOCW) along with team members of Zynorique Initiatives Tuesday gathered at Eco Village, Tsiepama to celebrate the achievements of the NBOCW workers.
The International Labour Day, also known as Labour Day or Workers’ Day in some countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the International Labour Movement which occurs every year on May Day.
WOKHA: Wokha District Legal Service Authority (WDLSA) in collaboration with office of the Assistant Labour Commissioner Wokha organized a mini-camp for unorganized sector (NSLSA Scheme) to commemorate the day Lotha tribal council hall Wokha town.
In a statement, WDLSA para legal volunteer, Alex Tsopoe said that WDLSA secretary, Seyielenuo Mezhii gave key note address on International Labour Day while Assistant Labour Commissioner Wokha, Renjamo Lotha gave a brief guidelines to the beneficiaries regarding the scheme and its benefits. Altogether 36 members attended the camp while 21 beneficiaries got registered under the building and other construction workers schemes.