LABOUR MEMBER VISITS COALMINES 133
quantities for domestic use. He made further enquiries regarding food, clothing and health of the workers.
Labour Problems Discussed At Dhanbad
The reason for the present shortage of coal and the measures to overcome it were discussed on Saturday at Dhanbad at a conference attended by representatives of the Central Government, the Governments of Bengal and Bihar, the three Mining Associations and spokesmen of Labour. The Hon’ble Dr. Ambedkar Labour Member, presided.
In a short opening speech the Chairman compared the conference with the Tripartite Labour Conferences at which questions relating to industrial labour are discussed. He emphasised the importance of producing more coal both for India’s industries and war effort and hoped that the representatives of employers and employees would be able to give their best advice on the matter.
The reasons for the fall in labour were given as the exceptionally good harvest, which required more labour than usual owing to the “Grow More Food Campaign” and the competition of military work. Measures to meet the situation were considered, and employers’ representatives asked for more petrol and tyres to help in bringing labour from neighbouring villages to the collieries.
A rationing scheme, proposed by the Central Government some time ago, and aiming at providing miners (both men and women) with an adequate ration, was the next item on the agenda. During the discussion, the possibility of the introduction by the Bihar Government of a rationing scheme in the area was mentioned and it was decided that the scheme introduced for the mines would have to be reconsidered if this occurred.
The scheme for miners’ supplies includes provision for food for mine-workers’ dependants. While fixing five days as the minimum number of days that must be worked to ensure the full week’s ration, the scheme also provides for adequate supplies for those who work fewer days. It was agreed that rice should be sold initially to workers at six seers per rupee, and that necessary quantitities of dal should also be sold at the same price.