Strength of disabled workers increasing, many jobless : MADURAI

It is said that the number of disabled bus drivers and conductors working in the eight state-run-transport corporations across the state is increasing.

But, the workers who were supposed to be given an alternative employment (light job) under the Parliamentarian law 'Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full participation) Act, 1995' were not given job by their superiors. Many workers have become disabled due to employment related injuries like poor vision, colour blindness and heart surgeries. Seeking relief, they have been approaching the High Court's Principal Seat in Chennai and its bench in Madurai by way of filing writ petitions.

Nearly 1.43 lakh workers are reportedly working in eight transport corporations including State Express Transport Corporation, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) and six Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporations situated in the divisions of Chennai, Villupuram, Kumbakonam, Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai and Tirunelveli. Of them, nearly two percent of employees have become disabled due to employment related injuries. The strength was one per cent ten years ago, said R Vasudevan, general secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Transport), Madurai. Many have been moving from pillars to posts to get work after being identified as disabled, said P N Palanivelm, a transport staff in Salem.

The disabled workers have to be referred to the concerned Regional Medial Board to ascertain their medical fitness stating that they are eligible to continue in their present duty. If they are declared unfit, they should be provided with an alternative employment according to Section 47 of the 1995 Act. More than 10 cases have been dealt by the Supreme Court in this regard and around 500 by the Madras high court. But, many of those who became disabled haven't been able to get the benefit of the Act in real. "The disabled people are not referred to the medial boards properly and they further are subjected to either dismissal of service or discharge of duties. Authorities' inaction have forced the workers to approach court seeking job, for which they have to pay Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000 as advocate fees," said A Rahul, an advocate who has been dealing with similar cases.

Commenting on issue, Abimanyu, branch manager of State Express Transport Corporation (Madurai) said that the disabled workers have been given jobs in their respective corporation. The remaining people would be given jobs soon, as per the direction of the government.

It is suggested that the disabled conductors and drivers could be placed in light jobs like clerk, non-ITI helper, time keeper, traffic regulation etc. Besides that, the state government's recent scheme of setting up drinking water stalls in bus stands will also help them to get better placed. During the introduction of the scheme, it was assured that the disabled workers would be placed at the water sale outlets. But, it has not been fulfilled properly, said Vasudevan.



Source : TOI , 29th September 2013