Kochi: In a bid to respond to the deepening crisis among informal sector laborers, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council (KCBC) has announced a strategic expansion of its welfare mission for unorganized workers across the state. This decision was taken during the council’s recent Monsoon Conference held at the POC Centre in Palarivattom, where the economic vulnerability of daily-wage earners and migrant laborers was brought into sharp focus.

The KCBC Labor Commission, which has been at the forefront of Church-led social outreach, has now been entrusted with designing a broader and more inclusive plan of action to cater to the needs of those outside the formal employment net.

Recognizing that thousands of workers in sectors like construction, agriculture, fishing, domestic labor, and small-scale industries continue to operate without social security or institutional protection, the KCBC has emphasized the Church's moral responsibility to stand by them. The bishops highlighted that unorganized laborers often face irregular income, lack of healthcare, absence of legal recourse, and hazardous working conditions, especially in post-pandemic Kerala.

The newly enhanced welfare agenda includes three major thrust areas:

Skill Development and Livelihood Training: Partnering with diocesan social service societies and vocational institutes, the KCBC will roll out skill upgradation and entrepreneurship training tailored for informal workers. Special attention will be given to women and youth engaged in unregulated occupations.

Medical Outreach and Health Insurance Support: The Labor Commission aims to extend preventive and curative healthcare through mobile clinics, diocesan hospitals, and medical camps. Efforts will also be made to help workers enroll in government-sponsored health schemes and receive treatment without discrimination.

Legal Awareness and Aid Cells: Many unregistered laborers fall prey to exploitation due to ignorance of their rights. The KCBC plans to establish legal support units in each diocese to educate workers on labor laws, provide documentation assistance, and offer legal intervention where necessary.

The Church leadership also expressed interest in collaborating with trade unions, labor rights NGOs, and governmental departments to make welfare schemes more accessible. “This is not merely an act of charity but a duty rooted in social justice and the Church’s teachings on human dignity,” a spokesperson for the Labor Commission remarked.

The KCBC further resolved to advocate for stronger policy measures to protect unorganized workers, including improved minimum wage enforcement, accident insurance, pension schemes, and formal recognition of informal occupations in state records.

With this renewed thrust, the Catholic Church in Kerala reaffirms its position as not just a spiritual guide but a compassionate partner in the socio-economic upliftment of marginalized communities. The bishops concluded that strengthening the support base for informal workers is essential for building a just, humane, and inclusive society in line with Gospel values.

The new measures are expected to roll out in phases beginning in July 2025, with dioceses initiating surveys to identify the most vulnerable groups and prioritize interventions accordingly.