Mysuru: As part of an initiative to educate garment workers on Labour Laws and Indian Motor Vehicles (IMV) Act, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), in association with Mysore Bar Association and Labour Department, held an awareness programme at Shahi Exports (P) Ltd., Koorgalli Industrial Area in city, on Monday.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, Senior Civil Judge and DLSA Member-Secretary B.P. Devamane said that most of the garment workers may be unaware of Labour Laws and the provisions of the IMV Act and this programme was aimed at educating them on these issues.

Pointing out that most garment workers are found to be travelling in goods vehicles from their homes to work places, Devamane said that such a practise was unlawful as goods vehicles are barred from ferrying passengers.

Highlighting the salient features of the IMV Act, he warned that travelling in goods vehicles was too risky as the passengers won’t get any sort of relief if they get injured in case of accidents or other mishaps.

Emphasising on the importance for the workers to keep in mind the future of their family before boarding a goods vehicle, Devamane said that utmost priority must be given to safety and security in the interest of family.

Giving a word of caution against travelling in goods vehicle, he said that the workers must engage only passenger vehicles which have necessary permits for travel.

Resource person N. Sundar Raj, an advocate, explained related section of IMV Act and also the salient features of Labour laws. Highlighting the risks and dangers involved in travelling in goods vehicles, he cautioned the elders against lending their vehicles to children who do not have licence.

Nearly 400 workers, most of them women working in garment industries in Koorgalli Industrial Area, attended the programme.

Assistant Labour Commissioner A.C. Thammanna, Senior Labour Inspectors P.M. Nikhil Chandra and G.B. Veena, Shahi Exports General Managers Shivaprasad Shetty and Santhosh, HR Executive Shilpa and Advocate Jyothi were present.