Lok Sabha Question No. 1026 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-26
Subject: Norms for Preparing New Labour Codes
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Vishnu Dutt Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1026 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2021

## NORMS FOR PREPARING NEW LABOUR CODES

†1026. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  scheme  to  provide pension, disability, medical, maternity and unemployment allowances to the labourers working in unorganised sectors, particularly to daily wagers, home-maker and construction labourers; and
- (b)whether the Government has followed the norms of 144th Conference of International Labour Organisation (ILO) in preparing the new labour codes?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a): As per the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008, the Central  Government is mandated  to provide Social Security to unorganised sector workers including daily wagers, home maker and construction  labourers  by  formulating  suitable  welfare  schemes  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.  The  Unorganised  Workers Social  Security  Act,  2008  has  been  subsumed  in  the  code  on  Social Security, 2020.

Condt..2/-

Life  and  disability  cover  is  provided  through Pradhan  Mantri Jeevan  Jyoti    Bima  Yojana  (PMJJBY)  and  Pradhan  Mantri  Surksha Bima  Yojana  (PMSBY)  launched  in  2015.    The  benefits  under  the scheme  are  Rs.  2  lakh  on  death  due  to  any  reason  and  permanent disability, Rs. 4 lakh on death due to accident and Rs. 1 lakh on partial disability.  The annual premium is Rs. 342/- (Rs. 330/- for PMJJBY + Rs.

12/- for PMSBY) depending upon their eligibility.

The health and maternity benefits are addressed through Ayushman  Bharat Scheme  which  is a universal health  scheme launched in 2018. Under the scheme, Rs. 5 lakh health coverage per family is provided for secondary and tertiary treatments free of cost.

In  order  to  provide  old  age  protection  to  unorganised  sector workers,  the  Government  of  India  has  launched  a  flagship  scheme namely  Pradhan  Mantri  Shram  Yogi  Maan  Dhan  Yojana  (PM-SYM) launched  in  March,  2019  to  provide  a  monthly  minimum  assured pension  of  Rs.  3000/-  after  attaining  the  age  of  60  years.  This  is  a voluntary  and  contributory  pension  scheme.  The  workers  in  the  age group of 18-40 years whose monthly income is Rs. 15000/- or less and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS (Govt. Funded) 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.

(b): India,  being  a  founding  member  of  the  International  Labour Organisation (ILO) has deep respect for its principles and objectives. The  Government  of  India  has  always  upheld  the  basic  tenets  of tripartism.  The  four  Codes,  namely,  the  Code  on  Wages,  2019,  the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 and the Code on Social Security, 2020 have been notified  in  Gazette  of  India.  Prior  to  that  the  Government had  done  extensive  consultations  inviting  all  Central  Trade  Unions, Employers' Associations and State Governments. All these Codes were also placed on the website for inviting comments from all stakeholders including general public.

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