Kerala: Catholic Church to empower labourers

In a bid to empower labourers hit by global recession, the Catholic Church in Kerala has called upon the setting of labour forums and self-help groups within the Church.

The Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) Sunday urged the laity to strengthen the labour union of the church known as the Kerala Labour Movement (KLM).

"The labourers are facing various problems due to deterioration of value of trade unions, global economic meltdown, withdrawal of the government from the idea of a welfare- oriented state, exploitation of labourers," the message says.

"Self-help groups and credit unions are already functioning at all parishes and a major number of members of these organisations are labourers. Labourers who are members of these organisations should be organised under labourer forum," it adds.

The Labour Commission of the KCBC noted it would be more effective to use the existing system than create one.

"At a time, when the economic and labour sectors are facing crisis, empowering the labourers is essential. It is better to use existing system instead of launching a new movement. But do not expect immediate results," said Mar Jose Porunnedam, chairman of the Labour Commission.

The move is not for any political gains but rather is to uphold the dignity of labour and rights of workers, the message asserted.

"It is a part of the ministry. Labourers in certain sectors like IT and sales are unorganised. Their issues should also be addressed. Besides, the KLM functions irrespective of cast and creed," said Fr Stephen Alathara, KCBC spokesperson.