This Week Kerala: When dam couldnt let water out

Contributory pension

State government employee organisations of both the Congress and the CPM are up in arms against the governments decision,in principle,to introduce a contributory pension scheme for fresh recruits from next year. Service organisations plan a strike on August 21 in protest against the move. The government has argued that pensioners will soon overtake government employees,putting the economy under stress,but existing staff would not be hit by the decision. The pension liability of Kerala has jumped threefold in 10 years. As a short-term strategy,the government has increased the retirement age from 55 to 56 for state employees and teachers.

For migrant workers

The government plans to introduce benefits for migrant workers from north Indian states. According to Labour Minister Shibu Baby John,around 10 lakh migrants work in Kerala and the government would ensure proper residential premises for these workers,who now stay in congested labour camps from where epidemics often start. The government plans include a gratuity-like package when workers leave Kerala. Local employers will be asked to maintain a register for these workers,who will be given identity cards.