906 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
cost. Private employers are also making their own nominations. Government of India will make a final selection from these nominations.
320
*** Workers in Mica Mines of Gudur Division**
- Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state :
(a) the number of workers—men and women—employed for underground and surface work in the mica mines of the Gudur Division;
(b) their average daily wage and dearness allowance;
(c) if it is a fact that they are engaged mostly through contractors who lake a percentage of the wages; and, if so, the reasons for permitting this system ; and
(d) if Government propose to hold an inquiry about the conditions in these mines and report to this House? If so, when?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) The number of male and female workers employed in Mica Mines in the Gudur area is approximately 7,000 and 4,000 respectively. No women are employed underground.
(b) Average daily wage is Rs. 12 for men and Rs. 7 for women. As wages were raised recently, no dearness allowance is paid.
(c) As far as is known labour is engaged and paid direct by the mine-owners, and not through contractors.
(d) No; the second part does not arise.
321
@ Applying Factories Act, etc. to Mica Splitting Factories in Gudur Division
- Shrimati K. Radha Bai Subbarayan : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state :
(a) if it is a fact—(i) that the Factories Act is not applied to the Mica Splitting Factories in the Gudur Division;
*Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 26th March 1945, p. 2014.
@ Ibid.