Bhubaneswar: The BJD on Sunday made an attempt to reach out to 1.5 crore labourers in the unorganised sector with the promise to provide them identity cards to help them avail social security benefits.

The step is being seen as an attempt by the government to woo the labour force, a sizeable vote bank, ahead of 2019 polls.

Attending the first convention of Biju Shramik Samukhya here, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said: "The unorganised workers, starting from domestic helps to transport workers and vendors will be provided with identity cards. They will be covered under social security schemes. Special social security provisions will be made for women working in the unorganised sector."

Lauding the role of the labouers in building structures such as Kalinga stadium, state secretariat and Hirakud dam, he said: "The party respects labourers and is committed to their overall development. We believe in action, not in words."

He said his government was also taking steps to provide pucca houses, rented houses in towns and motels to labourers in the state. Naveen also recalled how Biju babu had created history by hiking minimum wages of the labourers.

Last year, Naveen had announced a slew of measures for the welfare of construction of workers ranging from pensions to the registered construction workers to scholarship to their children to pursue higher studies.

According the announcement, the registered construction worker of 60 years and above are getting a pension of Rs 300 per month. However, Odisha government had left out unregistered workers.

Naveen has already touched slum workers across the state by announcing homestead lands and houses for them in the notified areas (NAC), municipalities and municipal corporations.

Secretary seneral of Biju Shramik Samukhya, Subash Singh said: "Our government will provide the identity cards to labourers within two to four months. They will be given three social security benefits including accidental insurance, health insurance and life insurance of Rs 3 lakh. In case of disability, the farmers will be provided with Rs 1.5 lakh assistance."

Women and child development minister and trade union leader Prafulla Samal said the Biju Shramik Samukhya has been formed with an objective to serve labourers in the unorganised sectors, provide them security and expedite the programmes related to their development. More than 7,000 labourers from all over the state attended the convention.