MAHATMA GANDHI LABOUR INSTITUTE
Drive-in Road, Memnagar
Ahmedabad – 380 052

National Workshop on “Unorganized Sector and Role of Media” on 25th February, 2009.

Introduction:

The unorganized sector plays a vital role in terms of providing employment opportunity to large segment of the working force in the country and also contributes to the National Product remarkably. According to the NSSO survey (1990-2000), out of total workforce 397 million, only 28 million workers are employed in the organized sector and remaining in the unorganized sector. It has been experienced that formal sector could not provide adequate opportunities to accommodate the workforce in the country and informal sector has been providing employment for their subsistence and survival. Keeping in view the existing economic scenario, the unorganized sector will expand further in the years to come. Thus, it needs to be strengthened and activated so that it could act as a vehicle of employment provider and social development. The absence of a meaningful social security arrangement found in unorganized sector does not merely pose problems for individual workers and their families but also has wider consequence for the economy and society. In order to avoid certain issues like low wages, unhealthy work condition, harassment, insecurity of job, exploitation etc proper attention and coverage should be required. It is felt that media can play a significant role in this regards. Compared to other medium of influencing public policy, media like; TV, Radio, Newspaper, Movies, Theatre, Documentary, Street Plays, Folks etc known as fourth pillar of democracy and make a larger and quicker impact on society. Now a day media becomes a powerful tool of social transformation in the Indian Society especially in shaping public opinion, providing justice and scientifically analyzing the facts.

It has been observed that media has yet not provided proper platform to the issues of workers working in the unorganized sector. Media has to address acute issues faced by the workers working in unorganised sector and mould society, government for better policies and improvements to offer better livelihood to the poor workers. Keeping this in mind, Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute, Ahmedabad is planning to organize a National Workshop on “Unorganized Sector and Role of Media” on 25th February, 2009.

The broad theme of the workshop is to be discussed are:
i) Media and issues of the Unorganised Workers : Critical review of coverage
ii) Media and Governance
iii) Media and Other Labour issues like Child Labour, Sexual Harassments in Work Place, HIV/AIDS
iv) Media’s role in developing Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials pertaining to the issues of Unorganised Workers

The prime object of the National Workshop is to raise interactive discussion among various stake holders i.e Academicians, Government Officials, Representatives of Unorganized Sector, Media, NGOs and Civil Society to make them sensitize towards issues faced by workers working in various unorganized sectors of India and the role of media in highlighting and spreading awareness in this regards.

Those who are interested to participate in this National Workshop may contact to Shri Sarbeswar Sahoo, Asst. Professor (Economics) or Dr. Misha Vyas, Asst. Professor (Economics), Mahatma Gandhi Labour Institute, Drive-in Road, Memnagar, Ahmedabad – 380 052, Tel. No. 079-40013719, 079-40013726, 09725144495 (M), Email: sahoo@mgliahd.org, mvyas@mgliahd.org on or before 10th Feb, 2009 for the registration.

- Shri S. Sahoo
- Dr. Misha Vyas

Dakxin Chhara
9909911474

We have not been in touch recently. Feel happy to realize Budhan is 10 years of age and has its own identity.

Will be there in the evening to be part of the celebration.

Sincere good wishes.

S D Desai