Lok Sabha Question No. 3139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-31
Subject: Medical and Maternity Benefits to Casual Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: MD. BADARIDDOZA KHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3139 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.12.2018

## MEDICAL AND MATERNITY BENEFITS TO CASUAL LABOURERS

3139. SHRI MD. BADARUDDOZA KHAN:

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

- (a)whether it is a fact that despite labour laws the casual labourers in the country are not getting medical and maternity benefits;
- (b)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reaction  of  the  Government thereto;
- (c)the details of the sectors where the causal labourers are reportedly deprived from their due social status;
- (d)whether  it  is  also  a  fact  that  casual  workers  are  not  getting  all national and State holidays as per labour Act, 1970 and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  all  such  facilities  to the casual labourers in the country; and
- (f)if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c):  The Government is implementing various Acts and Schemes to provide social security and welfare benefits to workers, both in the organised and unorganised sector. The social security to the workers in  the  organized  sector  is  provided  mainly  through  five  Central  Acts, namely,  the  Employees'  State  Insurance  Act,  1948,  the  Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the Employee's Compensation  Act,  1923,  the  Maternity  Benefit  Act,  1961  and  the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.

In  order  to  provide social security benefits to the workers in the  unorganised  sector,  the  Central  Government  is  implementing Unorganised  Workers'  Social  Security  Act,  2008,  to  provide  welfare schemes  in  matters  relating  to  life  and  disability  cover,  health  and maternity  benefits,  old  age  protection  to  the  unorganised  workers. Various Ministries/Departments of the Central Government are implementing such social security schemes like Indira Gandhi National Old  Age  Pension  Scheme  (Ministry  of  Rural  Development);  National Family  Benefit  Scheme  (Ministry  of  Rural  Development);  health  and maternity  schemes  (Ministry  of  Health  and  Family  Welfare).  The Central Government has also converged the social security scheme of Aam  Aadmi  Bima  Yojana  (AABY)  with  Pradhan  Mantri  Jeevan  Jyoti Bima  Yojana  (PMJJBY)  and  Pradhan  Mantri  Suraksha  BimaYojana (PMSBY)  to  provide  life  and  disability  coverage  to  the  unorganised workers  depending  upon  their  eligibility.  These  converged  schemes give coverage of Rs.2 lakhs on death at premium of Rs.330/- per annum and coverage of Rs.2 lakhs on accidental death at premium of Rs.12 per annum, besides disability benefits as per the scheme. The annual premium is shared on 50:50 basis by the Central Government and the State  Governments.  These  schemes  are  implemented  and  monitored by  Life  Insurance  Corporation  of  India  and  the  concerned  State Governments.

(d)  to  (f):  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.

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