Patna: The state labour department will step up monitoring and inspections of factories to ensure workers get basic facilities, workplace safety and benefits of welfare schemes, labour resources and migrant workers welfare minister Arun Shankar Prasad said on Tuesday.At a review meeting of the Factory Inspectorate, Prasad directed officials to increase direct interaction with workers and ensure compliance with labour laws and safety provisions. He also stressed the need for proper accommodation, canteens and separate toilets for male and female workers in factories.Officials informed the minister that Bihar currently has 2,502 factories employing more than 20 workers each. Of these, 800 factories are in Patna, 398 in Samastipur, 361 in Vaishali and 133 in Darbhanga.The minister also reviewed worker dialogue programmes aimed at informing employees and factory owners about labour laws, workplace safety, minimum wages and measures to be taken during emergencies.Prasad said workers should be made aware of their rights and the facilities available to them. He also directed officials to focus on workers’ training, working hours and conditions.The minister ordered installation of banners, posters and display boards in and around factories to spread awareness about safety among workers and nearby residents.Under the Ease of Doing Business Action Plan, factories employing fewer than 20 workers have been exempted from licence renewal since 2016. The validity of licences for factories with more than 20 workers has also been increased from five to 10 years.Labour commissioner Rajesh Bharti and chief inspector of factories Sanjay Kumar briefed the minister on the inspectorate’s work and compliance with worker safety and welfare provisions.
