Kolkata: Urging industrialists to set up their units in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday claimed that work culture in the state has improved `a lot.`
"We have severe financial constraints in the state. Crores of rupees of debt are lying over our head. In the 34 years of Left Front rule, work culture was thrown to the winds, due to strikes called by it.
"But in the last one year there has been a change in it," she launching Employment Bank for the unemployed and Samajik Mukti Card (social freedom card) for people in the unorganised sector.
The loss in mandays in West Bengal stood was 66 lakh during 2010-11 and it dropped to 66000 in 2011-12. "It is a big achievement," she said.
Criticising CITU for calling a state-wide transport strike on July 31, she said "We will not allow strike unnecessarily for no reason ... We do not support strike which cause economic loss. Why should people would suffer because of some leaders would make a capital out of it?
Referring to the newly created Employment Bank, she said it would enlist all candidates registered with the employment exchanges and put them on the website for prospective employers both in the private and public sector.
It would act as a meeting ground for employers and job seekers. She also urged the labour department to regularly supervise and monitor the bank.
On Samajik Mukti card, Banerjee said it would provide social security to people in the unorganised sector.
The state would provide a monthly amount equivalent to the contribution made by the subscribers, she said.
PTI
