Pune: What has been unheard of is happening in India. The backbone of India’s business and the sector which has provided a livelihood to millions of people across the globe is finally getting its due. Yes, you are right, the hospitality industry will finally see justice and rightful working hours to all its employees across India.
The eight hours shift in the hospitality industry has been initiated by Ramdas Athawale, Union Minister for State, Social Justice and Empowerment. The event was officially inaugurated today at the hands of Ramdas Athawale along with Quaiser General Khalid, Inspector of Police, Maharashtra, A V Girija Kumar, Chairman cum Managing Director, Oriental Insurance Company Limited, Shri Eric Dastur, Chairperson, KM Dastur and Shri Sanee Awsarmmel, International Hospitality Ambassador and Chairperson, Hospitality Industry of India.
A total of three plaques each representing, eight hours shift, ‘KAVACH’ and the launch of the ‘NUHII’ were unveiled by the dignitaries.
Whenever we speak to any person who has been employed in the hospitality industry when asked states that there is a time to go to work but no time to come back. We have seen people working for 18 hours and sometimes 24 hours at a go in this industry which is inhuman and total exploitation.
“If you go through the Factories Act – 1948, it clearly states that you cannot make an employee work over eight hours, but nobody follows that and at most places it is not even recognized and employees are made to work overtime without being paid. It is high time that all of this should be stopped and the employees who serve the nation should get justice”, said Sanee Awsarmmel, Chairman, Hospitality Industry of India.
Another feather in the cap for the Hospitality Industry of India is ‘KAVACH’. “This was unheard of; we have tied hands with the Oriental Insurance Company and have launched a specially designed insurance policy for all the employees working in the hospitality industry across the country. The hospitality sector has always been ignored and we have seen employees dying unattended due to lack of money to avail medical facilities,” he added.
This policy is special as it covers many things which are unheard of such as-
* Low cost
* Cashless
* Available across India
* Pre-existing diseases covered
* Maternity covered – one month prior and three months post medicines
* Unani medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy covered
* Dependent child (spastic)
* Widowed sister
* Critical Illness
* Robotics Surgeries & Laser Knives, along with many other benefits.
The above policy was launched by A V Girija Kumar, CMD – Oriental Insurance Company Limited today in the presence of all. Another major announcement was the launch of the National Union of the Hospitality Industry of India (NUHII) which will be headquarted in Pune and will be presided over by Sanee Awsarmmel.
Under this union, various smaller unions across India have merged and an approx of few crore people will be benefited through this union. The union will run in association with the Republican Party of India and related issues will be addressed by them accordingly.