LABOUR DEPARTMENT

Introduction

The Labour Department Pakyong was established in the year 2018, currently located above forest office, Pakyong, in the building of Buildings department. Since then, the Department has been engaging industrial establishments, labourers, labour associations and other stakeholders in maintaining harmonious relations between the employers and the employees.
The Government has created job opportunities for the educated unemployed youth of Sikkim by establishing Power Projects, Industrial Establishments, Pharmaceuticals and other Projects. They have been engaged in various establishments as a result of the progressive policies of the government and their implementation in the State.
The Labour Inspectors and Labour Commissioners have been engaged in various industries in the State of Sikkim, apprising the management and employers of various provisions of  labour laws to be complied with, as also the obligations of the Industrial establishments in respect of ensuring conducive work environment for the labourers and their responsibility towards the welfare of labourers and their families.
Workers falling in various categories such as  unskilled, semi skilled and highly skilled labourers and also unorganised workers from within the State of Sikkim and also from outside Sikkim are being treated uniformly and given protection at par to local labourers as per the provisions of the enforced Labour Laws.

SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED

As of now, the following 16 Central and 02 State Labour Laws are enforced in the State:-

1. Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.
2. Equal Remuneration Act, 1976.
3. Inter State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979.
4. Sikkim Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1983.
5. Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923.
6. Fatal Accidents Act, 1955.
7. Employers’ Liability Act, 1938.
8. Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation)Act, 1986.
9. Payment of Wages Act, 1936.
10. Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
11. Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
12. Building and Other Construction Workers’ (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and
13. Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Cess Act, 1996.
14. Minimum Wages Act, 1948.
15. Sikkim Labour (Regulation of Employment & Condition of Services) Act, 2021.
16. Un- organized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008.
17. Apprenticeship Act, 1961.
18. Employees State   Insurance Act, 1948.

Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948-

This Act was implemented in the State of Sikkim in the month of December, 2012. Initially, the Department of Labour, Government of Sikkim had established  two ESIC Dispensaries one at Tadong and another at Rangpo, East Sikkim in order to provide medical facilities to the registered workers and their dependant families working in the Private Sectors etc.
Under this scheme, a person employed for wages in or in connection with the work of a covered factory or establishment and directly employed by the Principal Employer are covered. The wage ceiling for coverage of an employee is `21,000/- per month and `. 25,000/- for the employees with disability.
In regard to be the beneficiary of this scheme, the employee concerned has to contribute.75% of his salary and the employer has to contribute3.25% of the wages payable to the employee.
Once the workers are registered under this scheme, they will get the following benefits:-

1. Sickness Benefit-
2. Extended Sickness Benefit. Enhanced Sickness Benefit.
3. Disablement Benefit.
4. Employment Injury Benefit.
5. Occupational Disease Benefit.
6. Temporary Disablement Benefit.
7. Permanent Disablement Benefit.
8. Dependent’s Benefit.
9. Maternity Benefit