Andhra builds modern ‘Labour Addas’ to boost worker welfare

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government has undertaken a series of reforms. One of the major initiatives includes the construction of modern Labour Addas or Integrated Labour Amenities Centres in key cities such as Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Guntur, and Nellore.

These centres are designed to provide daily wage workers with access to drinking water, restrooms, toilets, employment information, and welfare scheme details under one roof. The government is also planning skill-upgradation programmes at these centres to help workers improve employability through technology-oriented training.

According to officials, the coalition government led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has prioritised rebuilding the construction and labour sectors, which were allegedly weakened in previous years due to policy issues and diversion of welfare funds. The government stated that multiple initiatives have been launched to ensure dignity, social security, and improved employment opportunities for workers across the state.

Officials stated that Andhra Pradesh has nearly 88 lakh registered unorganised workers, including more than 18 lakh construction workers. Welfare schemes that had reportedly remained inactive over the past few years have now been revived. The government is currently providing ₹20,000 as maternity assistance, ₹40,000 as marriage assistance, and financial aid in cases of accidental or natural deaths along with funeral support and free medical check-ups for labour families.

The state has also intensified industrial safety measures under the Safety First approach. Special inspections conducted in July 2024 reportedly led to action against 23 factories for safety violations. Authorities have introduced safety and incident alert systems and initiated third-party safety audits in 360 industries in collaboration with institutions such as Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and Sri Venkateswara University.

In the healthcare sector, the government has modernised ESI medical services for nearly 15 lakh insured workers. New ESI hospitals are being developed in multiple districts, while digital platforms such as My Health and e-Aushadhi have been introduced to improve transparency in medicine distribution and healthcare delivery.