Mon Mar 24 16:13:52 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Minister Urges Central Government to Grant Full Labor Rights to Scheme Workers
**Thiruvananthapuram, March 24, 2025** – Kerala’s Labour Minister, V. Sivankutty, has written to his Union counterpart, Mansukh Mandaviya, demanding full labor rights and entitlements for Anganwadi, ASHA, midday meal, and other scheme-based workers under central labor laws.
In his letter, Minister Sivankutty advocated for minimum wages, provident fund, pension, maternity benefits, and other entitlements under the EPF and ESI Acts for these workers. He highlighted the permanent nature of their work and urged the development of a framework for their absorption as regular employees with full service benefits.
Furthermore, he proposed the formation of a tripartite committee comprising representatives from state governments, worker organizations, and the Union government to develop a national policy for the regularization and welfare of scheme workers. Minister Sivankutty expressed Kerala’s willingness to collaborate with the central government to create a model policy applicable nationwide. The letter emphasizes the need to ensure scheme workers receive their due legal status and benefits.
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