Lok Sabha Question No. 3293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-09
Subject: Social Security Schemes for Casual Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Ganesan Selvam, Dhanush M Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3293 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.12.2019

## SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES FOR CASUAL WORKERS

3293. SHRI SELVAM G.: SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)whether  the  Government  is  implementing  various  Acts  and  schemes  to provide social security and welfare benefits to casual workers both in the
- organised and unorganized sector and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether it is a fact that despite labour laws the casual labourers in the country are not getting basic medical and maternity benefits;
- (c)if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (d)the  details  of  the  sectors  where  the  casual  labourers  are  reportedly deprived  from  their  due  social  status  and  if  so,  the  steps  taken  by  the Government to extend all  basic  facilities  to  the  casual  labourers  in  the
- country; and
- (e)the details of number of casual/ contract labourers engaged during each of the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year  in  organised  and  unorganised sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) to (e): In order to provide social security benefits to the workers in the unorganised  sector,  including  casual  labourers,  as  per  their  eligibility, Government  enacted  the  Unorganised  Workers'  Social  Security  Act,  2008. This Act stipulates formulation of suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers  on  matters  relating  to:  (i)  life  and  disability  cover,  (ii)  health  and maternity benefits, (iii) old age protection and (iv) any other benefit as may be  determined  by  the  Central  Government.  Life  and  disability  cover  is provided  through  Pradhan  Mantri  Jeevan  Jyoti  Bima  Yojana  (PMJJBY)  and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to the unorganised workers depending  upon  their  eligibility.  The  health  and  maternity  benefits  are addressed through Ayushman Bharat scheme.

For  old  age  protection  in  the  form  of  monthly  pension,  Ministry  of Labour & Employment has launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana launched on 05th March, 2019 which is a voluntary and contributory pension  scheme  for  providing  monthly  minimum  assured  pension  of  Rs. 3,000/- on attaining the age of 60 years. The unorganised workers in the age group of 18-40 years whose monthly income is    Rs. 15,000/- or less and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS can join the scheme. Under the scheme, 50% monthly  contribution  is  payable  by  the  beneficiary  and  equal  matching contribution is paid by the Central Government.

The  Employees'  Provident  Funds  and  Miscellaneous  Provisions  Act, 1952 applies to all the scheduled industries and notified class of establishments  having  20  or  more  employees  in  both  Organised  and Unorganized sectors, including casual workers.

The  casual  workers  are  entitled  to  benefits  as  admissible  under  the relevant  labour  laws  which  are  enforced  by  the  respective  enforcement machinery available under the central and the state sphere.

Regular  inspections  are  carried  out  to  ensure  enforcement  of  the provisions of Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, Minimum Wages  Act,  1958,  Payment  of  Wages  Act,  1936,  Equal  Remuneration  Act, 1976, Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, 1979, Building and Other Construction Workers, 1996 by Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM) in the central sphere.  Further, regular inspections are also carried out by CIRM to ensure enforcement of the provisions of Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 in the central sphere,  in  relation  to  the  establishments  being  a  mine  or  establishments wherein  persons  are  employed  for  exhibition  of  equestrian,  acrobatic  and other performances.

*******