Lok Sabha Question No. 1339 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-06
Subject: Unorganized Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Harish Dwivedi, Jaskaur Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1339 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2021

## UNORGANIZED WORKERS

†1339. SHRI HARISH DWIVEDI: SHRIMATI JASKAUR MEENA:

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

- (a)whether the Government proposes to introduce a uniform system to determine  the  rates  of  minimum  wages  for  the  workers  of  the unorganized sector in the entire country; if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether the Government has received any demands/ request from various labour oarganisations to increase the wages of workers of the  unorganised  sector  as  well  as  those  working  as  contract workers in agriculture sector and various Government sectors, if so, the details thereof and the action taken/being taken by Government in this regard;
- (c)whether  the  Government  proposes  to  prepare  a  comprehensive national Database of unorganised workers in the Country; if so, the details thereof specifying the target fixed for this purpose;
- (d)whether the Government also purposes to provide facilities to the workers  in  the  unorganised  sector  under  this  scheme;  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (e)the time by which it is likely to be started?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The Code on Wages, 2019, provides for universal minimum wage and floor  wage  across  organized  and  unorganized  sector.  The Code mandates the Central Government to fix floor wage applicable across the Central and the State sphere.  Section 9 of the Code lays

down  that  the  minimum  rates  of  wages  fixed  by  the  appropriate Government under section 6 shall not be less than the floor wage. The said provisions of the Code on Wages, 2019, have not come into force.

(b): Periodic  revision  of  the  minimum  wages  is  a  statutory requirement. Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both the Central and the State Governments are appropriate Governments  to  fix,  review  and  revise  the  minimum  wages  of  the employees employed in the scheduled employments including agriculture under their respective jurisdictions. The Central Government and the State Governments are mandated under section 3(1) (b) of the Act to revise the Minimum Rates of Wages payable to the  employees  engaged  in  the  scheduled  employments  in  their respective jurisdictions at intervals not exceeding five years. Accordingly, the minimum rates of wages in the scheduled employments in the Central sphere were last revised by the Central Government in 2017. The details of periodic revision of minimum rates of  wages in the scheduled employments in the State sphere are not Centrally  maintained.  Further,  in  order  to  take  care  of  the  rising prices, the Central Government revises the Variable Dearness Allowance (V.D.A) on basic rates of minimum wages every six months effective  from  1st  April  and  1st  October  every  year  on  the  basis  of Consumer Price Index for Industrial workers. V.D.A. was last revised w.e.f. 01.10.2021. A statement showing increase in the rates of wages on account of increasing V.D.A payable to the employees engaged in the scheduled employments in the Central Sphere is at Annexure.

(c) to (e): On  26.08.2021,  the  Central  Government  has  launched  eSHRAM  portal  which  is  a  National  Database  of  the  Unorganised Workers. It has been made available to the States/UTs for registration of  unorganised  workers  on  e-SHRAM  portal.  It  targets  to  register  all eligible  unorganised  workers  in  the  country.  As  on  01.12.2021,  over 10.06  crore  unorganised  workers  have  been  registered  on  e-SHRAM portal. All eligible registered unorganised workers are entitled to get benefit of an accidental insurance cover of Rs. 2.0 Lakh for a year free of cost through Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY).  One of the key objectives of the portal is to deliver the benefits of Social Security Schemes of the Central Government and the State Governments through e-SHRAM portal to the unorganized workers.

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1339 FOR 06.12.2021.

Statement showing increased rates of minimum wages on account of revision of VDA from 01.04.2021 to 01.10.2021

| Name of Scheduled         | Category of Worker                                                                                                     | Rates of wages including V.D.A per day (in Rs.)                                                                    | Rates of wages including V.D.A per day (in Rs.)                                                                    | Rates of wages including V.D.A per day (in Rs.)                                                                    | Rates of wages including V.D.A per day (in Rs.)                                                                    | Rates of wages including V.D.A per day (in Rs.)                                                                    | Rates of wages including V.D.A per day (in Rs.)                                                                    |
|---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Employment                |                                                                                                                        | Area-A                                                                                                             | Area-A                                                                                                             | Area-B                                                                                                             | Area-B                                                                                                             | Area-C                                                                                                             | Area-C                                                                                                             |
|                           |                                                                                                                        | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   |
| 1. Agriculture            | Unskilled                                                                                                              | 411                                                                                                                | 417                                                                                                                | 375                                                                                                                | 380                                                                                                                | 372                                                                                                                | 377                                                                                                                |
| 1. Agriculture            | Semi- Skilled/Unskilled Supervisory                                                                                    | 449                                                                                                                | 455                                                                                                                | 413                                                                                                                | 419                                                                                                                | 379                                                                                                                | 384                                                                                                                |
| 1. Agriculture            | Skilled/Clerical                                                                                                       | 488                                                                                                                | 495                                                                                                                | 449                                                                                                                | 455                                                                                                                | 412                                                                                                                | 418                                                                                                                |
| 1. Agriculture            | Highly Skilled                                                                                                         | 540                                                                                                                | 547                                                                                                                | 502                                                                                                                | 509                                                                                                                | 449                                                                                                                | 455                                                                                                                |
| 2. Stone Mines            | 1. Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift (Per 2.831 cubic meters/100 cubic feet):     | 1. Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift (Per 2.831 cubic meters/100 cubic feet): | 1. Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift (Per 2.831 cubic meters/100 cubic feet): | 1. Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift (Per 2.831 cubic meters/100 cubic feet): | 1. Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift (Per 2.831 cubic meters/100 cubic feet): | 1. Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift (Per 2.831 cubic meters/100 cubic feet): | 1. Excavation &removal of over burden with 50 meters lead/1.5 meters lift (Per 2.831 cubic meters/100 cubic feet): |
| 2. Stone Mines            |                                                                                                                        | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   |
| 2. Stone Mines            | (a) Soft Soil                                                                                                          | 435                                                                                                                | 435                                                                                                                | 435                                                                                                                | 441                                                                                                                | 441                                                                                                                | 441                                                                                                                |
| 2. Stone Mines            | (b) Soft Soil with Rock                                                                                                | 654                                                                                                                | 654                                                                                                                | 654                                                                                                                | 663                                                                                                                | 663                                                                                                                | 663                                                                                                                |
| 2. Stone Mines            | (c) Rock                                                                                                               | 866                                                                                                                | 866                                                                                                                | 866                                                                                                                | 878                                                                                                                | 878                                                                                                                | 878                                                                                                                |
| 2. Stone Mines            | 2. Removal and Staking of rejected stones with 50 meters lead 1.5 meters lift (Per 2.831 cubic meters/100 cubic feet): | 349                                                                                                                | 349                                                                                                                | 349                                                                                                                | 354                                                                                                                | 354                                                                                                                | 354                                                                                                                |
| 2. Stone Mines            | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size (Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters/200 cubic feet):          | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size (Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters/200 cubic feet):      | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size (Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters/200 cubic feet):      | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size (Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters/200 cubic feet):      | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size (Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters/200 cubic feet):      | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size (Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters/200 cubic feet):      | 3. Stone breaking or Stone Crushing for the stone size (Per truck load of 5.662 cubic meters/200 cubic feet):      |
| 2. Stone Mines            | (a) 1.0 inch to 1.5 inches                                                                                             | 2666                                                                                                               | 2666                                                                                                               | 2666                                                                                                               | 2701                                                                                                               | 2701                                                                                                               | 2701                                                                                                               |
| 2. Stone Mines            | (b) Above 1.5 Inches to 3.0 Inches                                                                                     | 2280                                                                                                               | 2280                                                                                                               | 2280                                                                                                               | 2310                                                                                                               | 2310                                                                                                               | 2310                                                                                                               |
| 2. Stone Mines            | (c) Above 3.0 Inches to 5 Inches                                                                                       | 1338                                                                                                               | 1338                                                                                                               | 1338                                                                                                               | 1356                                                                                                               | 1356                                                                                                               | 1356                                                                                                               |
| 2. Stone Mines            | (d) Above 5.0 Inches                                                                                                   | 1099                                                                                                               | 1099                                                                                                               | 1099                                                                                                               | 1114                                                                                                               | 1114                                                                                                               | 1114                                                                                                               |
| 2. Stone Mines            |                                                                                                                        | Area-A                                                                                                             | Area-A                                                                                                             | Area-B                                                                                                             | Area-B                                                                                                             | Area-C                                                                                                             | Area-C                                                                                                             |
| 2. Stone Mines            |                                                                                                                        | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.04.2021                                                                                                   | As on 01.10.2021                                                                                                   |
| 3. Sweeping and Cleaning* | Unskilled                                                                                                              | 645                                                                                                                | 654                                                                                                                | 539                                                                                                                | 546                                                                                                                | 431                                                                                                                | 437                                                                                                                |
| 4. Watch and Ward         | Without Arms                                                                                                           | 784                                                                                                                | 795                                                                                                                | 714                                                                                                                | 724                                                                                                                | 609                                                                                                                | 617                                                                                                                |

|                           | With Arms                            | 853              | 864              | 864              | 784              | 795              | 714              | 714              | 724              |
|---------------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
| 5. Loading and Unloading# | Unskilled                            | 645              | 654              | 654              | 539              | 546              | 431              | 431              | 437              |
| 6. Construction ^         | Unskilled                            | 645              | 654              | 654              | 539              | 546              | 431              | 431              | 437              |
| 6. Construction ^         | Semi- Skilled/Unskille d Supervisory | 714              | 724              | 724              | 609              | 617              | 505              | 505              | 512              |
| 6. Construction ^         | Skilled/Clerical                     | 784              | 795              | 795              | 714              | 724              | 609              | 609              | 617              |
| 6. Construction ^         | Highly Skilled                       | 853              | 864              | 864              | 784              | 795              | 714              | 714              | 724              |
| 7. Non-Coal Mines $       |                                      | Above Ground     | Above Ground     | Above Ground     | Above Ground     | Below Ground     | Below Ground     | Below Ground     | Below Ground     |
| 7. Non-Coal Mines $       |                                      | As on 01.04.2021 | As on 01.04.2021 | As on 01.10.2021 | As on 01.10.2021 | As on 01.04.2021 | As on 01.04.2021 | As on 01.10.2021 | As on 01.10.2021 |
| 7. Non-Coal Mines $       | Unskilled                            | 431              | 431              | 437              | 437              | 539              | 539              | 546              | 546              |
| 7. Non-Coal Mines $       | Semi- Skilled/Unskille d Supervisory | 539              | 539              | 546              | 546              | 645              | 645              | 654              | 654              |
| 7. Non-Coal Mines $       | Skilled/Clerical                     | 645              | 645              | 654              | 654              | 752              | 752              | 762              | 762              |
| 7. Non-Coal Mines $       | Highly Skilled                       | 752              | 752              | 762              | 762              | 840              | 840              | 851              | 851              |

*Employees engaged in the employment of Sweeping and Cleaning excluding Activities prohibited under the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993.

#Employees engaged in the employment of Loading and Unloading in (i) Goods Sheds, Parcel Offices of Railways; (ii) Other Goods Sheds, Godowns, Warehouses and other similar employments;  (iii) Docks and  Ports;  and  (iv)  Passengers  Goods  and  Cargo  Carried  out  at  Airports  (Both  International  and Domestic).

^Employees  engaged  in  the  employment  of  construction  or  maintenance  of  Roads  or  Runways  or  in Building Operations including laying down  Underground Electric, Wireless, Radio, Television, Telephone,  Telegraph  and  Overseas  Communication  Cables  and  similar  other  Underground  Cabling Work, Electric Lines, Water Supply Lines and Sewerage Pipe Lines.

$Employees engaged in the employment of Gypsum Mines, Barytes Mines, Bauxite Mines, Manganese Mines,  China  Clay  Mines,  Kyanite  Mines,  Copper  Mines,  Clay  Mines,  Magnesite  Mines,  White  Clay Mines, Stone Mines, Steatite Mines (including the mines producing Soap Stones and Talc), Ochre Mines, Asbestos  Mines,  Fire  Clay  Mines,  Chromite  Mines,  Quartzite  Mines,  Quartz  Mines,  Silica  Mines, Graphite Mines, Felspar Mines, Laterite Mines, Dolomite Mines, Red Oxide Mines, Wolfram Mines, Iron Ore Mines, Granite Mines, Rock Phosphate Mines, Hematite Mines, Marble and Calcite Mines, Uranium Mines, Mica Mines, Lignite Mines, Gravel Mines, Slate and Magnetite Mines.

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