CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu govt has doubled accident insurance cover for registered gig workers to Rs 10 lakh and unveiled a new programme to train construction workers for overseas jobs, marking a shift from expanding welfare coverage to improving workers’ earning potential.Labour welfare and skill development minister J Mohamed Farvas announced the measures in the assembly on Tuesday. Under the new scheme titled “Vettri Karangal,” 1,000 registered construction workers will be given ‘international’ skill training to make them eligible for overseas employment, said the minister. The initiative would cost Rs 15 crore, he said.Govt will also scale up skill training for other construction workers. As part of the initiative 50,000 registered workers will receive seven-day training in masonry, carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, painting and other trades. They will get Rs 800 a day as wage-loss compensation during the training, with Rs 48 crore earmarked for the programme.For gig workers, the new package provides accident insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh. Govt will also bear interest on bank loans taken by 1,000 registered gig workers to buy e-bikes.The minister said govt would establish temporary shelters with basic amenities for migrant construction workers in Chennai and Coimbatore metropolitan areas at a cost of Rs 14 crore. Fifty worker facilitation centres will also come up at locations where construction workers gather, providing drinking water, basic amenities and access to welfare-board services.
