The RAJASTHAN VIDYUT PRASARAN MAZDOOR CONGRESH (INTUC) has expressed its concerns with reference to Project Number: 45224, Proposed Multitranche
Financing Facility and Administration of Loans and Technical Assistance Grant
India: Rajasthan Renewable Energy Transmission Investment Program.
The Project was approved by the ADB Board in September 2013 and the
Loan agreement for tranche 1 of the Program was signed on 12 September 2014
between the Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Government of
India and the Country Director, ADB. the Union has supported the project report states that the growth of
renewable energy in Rajasthan will directly and indirectly contribute to
poverty reduction by creating temporary and permanent jobs and enhancing energy
security and that the
investment program will create economic opportunities and ensure economic
development.
But, the registered union is still not aware of the details of
the project including how the aims and objectives and the output of the project
will ensure creating job opportunities for the locals while protecting their
rights and interests.
The safeguards as designed in this program does not target the workers
who will work on the projects, their rights and the core labour standards
(CLS). The project design has also deprived the workers to be represented in the
project's participation and consultation process where no union has been
accepted as stakeholder to participate in consultations.
The Union understands that the goal of an Asia and Pacific region free of poverty
clearly defines the mission of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The ADB and
the International Labour Organisation (ILO) while working together on ways to
reach this goal have signed a memorandum of understanding in 2002 that
identifies area of core labour standards (CLS) in which the two organizations
can cooperate, collaborate, and coordinate activities at the regional,
national, and enterprise levels.
The CLS Handbook, jointly published by ILO and ADB in 2006 clearly states that 'the inclusion of labor standards consideration should be strengthened in the planning, design, and implementation of all ADB activities, as approved by ADB in its Social Protection Strategy.
Respect for labor standards should be addressed as an issue in itself, and as a
matter of ADB's corporate social responsibility.'
The handbook further points out that to strengthen project implementation,
violations of labor standards in the implementation of ADB-funded activities,
or failure by contractors and subcontractors to observe the standards they are
required to implement, should be prevented... A proposed option is to request
social audits from its contractors or reports from relevant labor stakeholders
(e.g., labor unions).
The Union is concerned, that the Project design and implementation arrangement
have violated ADB's Social Protection Strategy and the underlying principles
enshrined in the MOU signed by ADB and ILO and demand that:
1. Immediate steps should be taken to incorporate adequate measures to
safeguard the rights of the workers to decent work and respect of national
labour laws, including adherence to CLS in the project design;
2. Take appropriate measures to mitigate violation of labour laws and CLS
during the implementation phase (including joint monitoring and review along
with the unions) and incorporate those as part of the project implementation
arrangement; and
3. ADB and the management of the RRVPNL should immediately consult our
Union as a legitimate stakeholder of the Project and convey to us the
mitigating measures taken as above.
(Drafted from the letter from GENERAL SECRETARY RAJASTHAN VIDYUT PRASARAN MAZDOOR CONGRESH (INTUC) ti the ADB)
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