Thursday, February 23 2006 18:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Nashik: Declaring that a separate law for unorganised labour sector will soon be introduced in the Parliament, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi today (Feb 23 2006) said unless the problems of the labour class are urgently looked into, the country cannot progress.

"The UPA government has taken a lot of steps for the poor and downtrodden in this country. I am happy to say that according to the promise made our party manifesto and the Common Minimum Programme of the UPA, a new law for protecting rights of the unorganised labour class in the country will be introduced," Gandhi said, addressing an Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) rally of unorganised workers here.

Elaborating on the UPA government's measures, Gandhi said taking inspiration from Maharashtra, the Centre had introduced the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which till now was implemented in 200 villages in the country, and would be extended to the rest of the country soon.

Schemes for the aged inclusive of pension and health insurance as well as several schemes for the women were also on the anvil, she said.

"The Congress has been committed to the labour movement and will continue to do so," Gandhi said.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, INTUC president, Sanjeeva Reddy, Union Minister of State for Home, Manik Rao Gavit, AICC general secretary and party affairs incharge of Maharashtra, Margaret Alva, MPCC President Prabha Rao, and other state ministers also participated in the rally.