The Cooperative Department will take the initiative for reforms to give due consideration to labour contract cooperative societies in construction works, said Minister for Cooperation, Registration and Culture V.N. Vasavan. The situation where private contractors and labour cooperatives are considered at par in tenders should change. P.W.D. Manual should be revised and the legal provisions should be made for this. Public Works, Finance and Co-operative Departments need to work together to realise this aim. Minister Vasavan said that cooperation department will take the initiative for this.
He was speaking while inaugurating the seminar and workshops organized by Kerala Labour Contract Cooperative Societies Welfare Association (KLCCSWA) to discuss the role of Labour Contract Cooperative Societies in the development of Kerala and the difficulties faced by them and to find solutions for the same.
The minister said that the cash credit and power of attorney loan facilities which the labour cooperatives received from district coop banks will also be made available through Kerala Bank.
Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine was the chief guest. Minister Roshi Augustine said that the cooperative sector in Kerala with an investment of Rs 2.5 lakh crore is an alternative model. Labour cooperatives are characterized by social responsibility, timely and quality construction work. The Uralungal Society is a model for implementing innovative construction methods, including the Chellanam Coast Protection Project. He said that joint technical wings can be started by labour cooperatives at the district levels to enable small cooperatives to adopt innovative construction methods.
The seminar on 'Role of Labour Cooperative Societies in Kerala Development' was held at Cooperative Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram. Former Finance Minister Dr. T. M. Thomas Isaac presented the topic. Dr. Isaac said that this stage of Navakerala (New Kerala) creation opens up great opportunities for labour cooperatives. Labour cooperatives should adopt protocol, technological innovation, skills training of workers, good management and social audit to ensure quality. He said that such cooperative movements should become the driving force of Kerala.
Cooperative Department Secretary Mini Antony presided over the function. The Welfare Association's website was inaugurated by Alex Varghese, Registrar, Cooperative Societies.
Labour Fed Chairman Jose Parappuram, Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Chairman Ramesan Paleri, National Labour Federation Director T. K. Kishore Kumar, Association President A.C. Mathew, Association General Secretary K.A. Scaria also spoke.
Workshops will be held on September 15 and 16 at the Institute of Cooperative Management, Mudavanmugal. Public Works Department Secretary Ajith Kumar will inaugurate the workshop on 'Role of Labour Cooperatives in Public Works', chaired by ICM Director R.K. Menon. National Cooperative Development Corporation Regional Director Tehedur Rahman will present the topic.
The theme of the third day is 'Role of Labour Cooperatives in Local Self-Government Construction Works'. Local Self-Government Department Chief Engineer K. Johnson will be the keynote speaker. The inauguration of the closing session in the evening and the distribution of certificates will be by former minister T. P. Ramakrishnan MLA.
