Patna, February 22 Patna High Court Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo said on Sunday that the NALSA can play a crucial role in protecting the constitutional rights of workers in the unorganized sector by providing them with protection, guidance, and training against exploitation.
He was speaking at a legal awareness program on the NALSA (Legal Services to the Workers in the Unorganized Sector) Scheme, 2015, held at the Urja Auditorium in Patna.
"The NALSA scheme safeguards the constitutional rights of workers in the unorganized sector and provides them with protection, guidance, and training to prevent exploitation," Justice Sahoo said.
The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is a statutory body established in 1995 under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, with the objective of providing free and competent legal services to the weaker sections of society.
Highlighting the contribution of unorganized workers to the economy, Sahoo said, "Although their contribution to the Indian economy is immense, ironically, they are often deprived of basic rights."
He noted that the primary aim of the scheme is to ensure that justice is not only the privilege of the wealthy but is also accessible to unorganized workers free of cost.
"Often, due to lack of literacy, awareness, or economic compulsion, workers are exploited. They are denied fair wages or safe working conditions. In such cases, the NALSA scheme ensures that no worker is denied justice due to financial incapacity or lack of awareness," he said.
The chief justice also said that NALSA has directed every State Legal Services Authority to set up a dedicated cell for unorganized sector workers to ensure timely and effective legal assistance.