Change perspective towards migrant workers, construction industry, urges Dr. Kekhrie Yhome

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 30 (EMN): Highlighting the enormous earning potential and making a living from construction sector, Chairman of Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (NVBOCWWB), Dr. Kekhrie Yhome on Friday encouraged the youth to change their perspective and take it up as a profession.

He was addressing the NVBOCWWB awareness and field registration campaign held at Malo-o Indoor Stadium, Chedema village in Kohima and organised for ‘Che-ru-di-ki’, a conglomeration of four Angami villages — Chedema, Rusoma, Dihoma and Kijumetuoma.

Yhome said the people should change their perspective towards the migrant workers and treat them fairly; the locals should, in the meantime, emulate them and venture into the construction industry as development and construction will never cease.

Highlighting the scenario in Mokokchung where the local workforce has taken over the construction industry, constituting about 95% of the workforce, especially by the Konyak, he urged the gathering to take up the construction work as a profession and not just register.

He said the construction industry has the potential of bringing change as income can be enormous with earning determined by work per square feet and not daily wages alone. He encouraged the youth to venture together as a team and earn, while pointing out that Nagas don’t want to work under someone and everyone wants to be the ‘head mistry’.

 Yhome also said that many don’t avail several welfare and security schemes due to various reasons and gaps, while maintaining that the department is disseminating information to the people to ensure that such government schemes reach all the right beneficiaries.

The chairman asserted that the benefits from such schemes might not be huge but the registered and daily wage workers can get some assistance in terms of insurance and health benefits.

Earlier in the programme, member of Chedema Village Council Kekhrievolie Keyho, in his welcome address, acknowledged the chairman of NVBOCWWB for taking the initiative to reach out to the village and also lauded the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

The programme was chaired by Zaremo Kikon, Assistant Labour Commissioner, and a song presented by Neikonuo Chakrüno, while Secretary of Chedema Village Council Seyiechütuo Suokhrie delivered the vote of thanks.