Labour department of Karnataka to frame special scheme for welfare of press photographers

Minister Santosh Lad says Labour Department will identify what assistance can be provided to photographers, videographers and workers in the media sector working on a contract basis, identify what problems they face.

The Department of Labour Welfare of Karnataka will frame a new scheme for the welfare of press photographers, Minister Santosh Lad said in Hubballi on March 23.

“It is our duty to provide social security to photographers who are the first to witness and document every incident in society. We will try to frame a special scheme for photographers,” the Minister said, after inaugurating Focus on News, a photography exhibition and workshop jointly organised by the Karnataka Media Academy, the Department of Information and the Dharwad unit of KUWJ.

“Working professionals will do a great service to society if they are sensitive and have a sense of duty. That is what press photographers hope to do,” the Minister said.

“The Labour Department has formulated and implemented many schemes for workers in the organised and unorganised sectors. Photographers and newspaper distributors from the press sector have already been included in the group of unorganised sector workers. They are being given free registration, while smart cards are being distributed. If the president of the Karnataka Media Academy submits a proposal regarding providing social security, more facilities, financial assistance, skill training and modern technical equipment to photographers, the government will consider it,” he said.

“The Labour Department will identify what assistance can be provided to photographers, videographers and workers in the media sector working on a contract basis, identify what problems they face. A meeting of experts and experienced people in this field will be called for a discussion. A special plan can be formulated for photographers, videographers and people working on contract basis in the media sector,” he said.

The Labour Department has already identified 20 categories of the unorganised sector, registered about 30 lakh persons under the Ambedkar Labour Help Hand Scheme free, and provided them with smart cards. It is conducting public awareness programmes on the Ambedkar Labour Help Hand Scheme at the taluk and hobli levels, identifying beneficiaries, registering them and providing smart cards. The Minister said that everyone should take advantage of this.

Award-winning photojournalist Bhanu Prakash conducted the workshop. National award-winning photojournalist Shipra Das delivered the keynote address.