Companies not hiring locals to face music: Odisha Labour Minister

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Assembly today witnessed an uproarious scene as both the BJP and the Congress members raised concerns over lack of engagement of local workforce by the industrial units in the State.

During Question Hour of the House, the legislators alleged that the industrial units in the State are recruiting more outsiders and neglecting the local residents.

"Around 80-90 percent employees in companies operating here are from outside Odisha while our people have to migrate to other States and work as bonded labourers. Will the Minister rake up the issue with the companies and take steps towards recruitment of more locals?" Congress MLA Sura Routray questioned.

Similarly, BJP MLA Mohan Majhi said that the Odisha government prior to the election had assured recruitment of 75% local people in industrial units but only outsiders are getting hired while the local residents are being neglected.

In reply to this, State Labour Minister Sushant Singh said that a probe would be initiated and action will be taken against the errant companies.

Of the 2,66,854 workers employed in 550 industrial units in Odisha, 30,893 workers are from outside the State. In Khurda district alone, 8040 people are engaged in such units out of which 7509 are from the State while 531 are from outside the State, replied the Minister.

He further said that there are provisions of 60% reservation for skilled labourers, 90% for unskilled & 30% for management employees. "If we find companies flouting the norms or engaging more people from outside the State, stern action will be taken against them," he added.