CBCI Office for Labour – TNBC Regional Labour Commission Meet

7- 8 June, 2018

St. Theodore Sanatorium, Coonur, Ooty, Tamilnadu

Tamilnadu Bishops Council urges the Govt. authorities to pay heed to the cry of the under privileged Traditional Occupational Groups in Tamilnadu. This concern was raised at a seminar held at St. Theodore Sanatorium, Coonur, Oooty on 7th & 8th June organised by CBCI Office for Labour in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Bishops Council. 35 Representatives from 9 Catholic Diocese and few movements working for the cause of the workers discussed extensively the issues and challenges of the unorganised workers of Tamilnadu.

Archbishop Anandarayar, Chaiman, TNBC Regional Labour Commission exhorted the participants to be at the side of the poor workers and help them to avail the social security schemes allocated for them, respect the workers and give them dignity of the work they are doing particularly the women workers.  The legislations on Sexual harassment against women must be implemented in all the Church institutions he reminded. His Grace condemned the uncivilised and inhuman behaviour of the police officials on the poor Labourers at Sterlite Copper factory in Thoothukudi. His Grace along the participants observed 2 minutes silent prayer for the martyrs and victims of police attack at Thoothukudi. Two days seminar threw light on the issues of migrants and refugees. Representative from the Dioceses and movements sought recourse to the key issues of Tamil Nadu such as Migration, ,Unorganised Workers social security, need to form trade unions, political exploitation etc. The diocese will assist the migrants to register the migrants in the web portal www.wifmdm.com of CBCI Office for Labour for safe migration and help at the destination if required. Seminar helped the participants to take steps towards creation of awareness among the unorganised workers. Organising the unoraganised workers is an urgent need in Tamil Nadu observed the group. Keeping in mind the need of the unorganised workers the participants worked out a plan of action for the stakeholders which includes Sensitisation of Directors and core team members, Dissolving internal conflicts and differences, Voicing for Humanitarian concerns, Focusing on the Govt. Schemes and Social security.

Topics discussed were:

Traditional Communities in Search of Identity – Dr. Maria Susai Director, Kolping Kottar

Traditions occupational Groups – Fr. Albert Regional Director, TASSOS

Issues of Traditional Occupational Groups in Search of a collective identity of
Urban Communities - Dr. John Arokiaraj, South Zonal Manager, Caritas India,  

Problems of Present Agriculture - Fr. Antonyraj Director,  Kolping India

Interventions of CBCI Office for Labour – Sr. Rani HCM

The dioceses will implement the steps taken for Rescue, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. All the resource persons emphasized on the social teaching of the Catholic Church Beginning with Pope Leo’s 1891 landmark social encyclical, Rerum Novarum ‘On Capital and Labour’) & continuing today the Church has had much to say about the rights & duties of the worker & of business. On this occasion Archbishop Anadarayar, Bishop Amalraj, Dr. Mariasusai, Fr. Albert, Fr. Antony, Dr. John Arokyam, Sr. Rani, CBCI Office for Labour and Fr. Jayakumar addressed the participants.

Sr. Rani HCM

Programme Manager

CBCI Office for Labour