Bengaluru Garment workers fail to avail bus pass initiative

29 March 2022, Mumbai:

The Karnataka government's initiative to distribute free bus passes to textile workers continues to be met with skepticism.

Since the plan began three months ago, less than 200 garment workers have benefited from it.

It's worth noting that the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) anticipated that it would help 3 lakh city employees operating in 800 factories. A standard non-AC monthly bus pass costs roughly Rs. 1,050, making it unaffordable for the bulk of garment workers. 

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According to the policy, textile companies and the state government would each cover 40% of the cost of the pass, with the BMTC covering the remaining 20%.

Some textile companies in Bengaluru provide transportation for their employees, however the bulk of workers rely on vehicles or walk to work.

The industry leader, who is aware of the situation, feels that the Karnataka Labour Welfare Board's disinterest is the reason that just a few people are benefiting from the plan.

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The board has assigned the job of identifying the beneficiaries to garment factory owners, according to Jayaram KR, legal counsel of the Garments and Textile Workers' Union.

It is their responsibility to visit the board and request passes. This is a significant disadvantage. He went on to say that the board should ask workers to apply and verify their credentials using Provident Fund, Aadhaar, and other papers.

Following the verification procedure, steps should be made to award garment employees with passes. V. Anbukumar, BMTC's MD, said he has written to the Labor Department to request that they take up the subject with the garment companies to raise awareness about the effort among garment employees.

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CREDITS: Apparel Resources.