THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Labour Department disbursed Rs 163 crore as pension, welfare pension, bonus and ex-gratia during the Onam season.According to a press release issued by the department, a sum of Rs 162.3 crore was distributed as disability pension and ex-gratia allowance in the unorganised sector. A sum of Rs 2.67 crore was allocated exclusively for providing ex-gratia to employees of closed factories.The Labour Department distributed a sum of Rs 2,000 each to factory employees and Rs 1,000 each to plantation sector employees as ex-gratia allowance. Those employed in the coir and cashew sectors were provided with Rs 600 each. The amount was distributed to around 25,000 employees during the last two days.Apart from ex-gratia amount, an amount of Rs 136.87 crore was allocated to local self-bodies for disbursing farmers’ pension and Rs 19.7 crore was distributed for various welfare boards for proving welfare pension. Of this, Rs 13.8 crore was distributed among cashew employees.A sum of Rs 1.49 crore was distributed among retired employees of Artisans project as pension and Rs 1.85 crore as assistance to the physically impaired people who were engaged in coconut climbing and arecanut collection. According to the statement, the labour issues in 15 industrial establishments, both in the private and public sector, were resolved after Labour Minister Shibu Baby John held talks with trade union leaders and managements.As a result, agreements were reached in various units to increase bonus ranging from Rs 750 to Rs 5000. The minimum bonus for the cashew sector employees was increased to Rs 1100. Employees of public sector units which were running at a loss were provided an additional allowance of Rs 750 in addition to the bonus.Due to unavailability of adequate staff, the personal staff of the the Minister were deployed to expedite the distribution of the amount ahead of the Onam festival.
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