Lok Sabha Question No. 117 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Evaluating Labour Welfare and Social Security in the Informal and Gig Economy
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 117 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## EVALUATING LABOUR WELFARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE INFORMAL AND GIG ECONOMY

## 117.  SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR:

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

- (a)whether the Government has recently evaluated the effectiveness of existing  labour  welfare  schemes  in  the  informal  sector,  which constitutes a significant portion of the workforce and if so, the key
- findings of this evaluation;
- (b)the  details  of  specific  measures  being  taken  to  strengthen  social security for gig and platform workers given their increasing presence in the labour market;
- (c)whether the Government is developing policies to integrate technology-driven  employment  opportunities  with  comprehensive worker protections and if so, the details of these initiatives;
- (d)the progress made in implementing the provisions of the new labour codes,  especially  in  relation  to  enhancing  worker  benefits  and simplifying  compliance  for  employers  and  any  challenges  faced  in their rollout; and
- (e)the manner in which these efforts are contributing to job stability, skill  development  and  overall  economic  growth  and  the  details  of impact expected in the next five years?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) to (e): The Government of India has introduced a pension scheme for unorganised workers namely Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) to  ensure  old  age  protection  for  Unorganised  Workers. The scheme was launched in March, 2019.  The third party evaluation of PM-SYM was done by Indian Institute of Public Administration that recommended  inter-alia,  to increase  income  limit  from  Rs.15000  to Rs.18000 and entry age for eligibility criteria to be relooked to 18 to 50 years.

For the first time, the definition of 'gig workers' and 'platform workers' and provisions related to the same have been provided in the Code  on  Social  Security,  2020  which  has  been  enacted  by  the Parliament. The Code provides for framing of suitable social security measures for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life  and  disability  cover,  accident  insurance,  health  and  maternity benefits, old age protection, etc.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment had launched the eShram'One Stop -Solution' on 21 st  October 2024. This entails integration of different social security/welfare schemes at single portal i.e. e-Shram. This  enables  unorganised  workers  registered  on  e-Shram  to  access social  security  schemes  and  see  benefits  availed  by  them  so  far,  on single portal i.e. e-Shram.

'Labour' as  a subject  is in  the  Concurrent  List  of  the Constitution of India and under the Codes, the power to make rules has been entrusted to Central Government as well as State Governments. As a step towards implementation of the four Labour Codes, the Central Government has pre-published the draft Rules under Labour Codes. As per available information, 32, 31, 31 and 31 State/Union Territories have also pre-published the draft Rules under the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020 and the  Occupational  Safety,  Health  and  Working  Conditions  Code,  2020, respectively.

The  Labour  Codes  strengthen  the  protection  available  to workers, including unorganized workers in terms of statutory minimum wage, social security and healthcare of workers. The Code on Wages, 2019  has  envisaged  statutory  right  for  minimum  wages  and  timely payment  of  wages  to  all  workers  to  support  sustainable  growth  and inclusive development. Besides, the Code on Social Security, 2020 aims to extend social security benefits to all workers both in the organised and unorganised sectors. The Labour Codes have been aligned with the present economic scenario and technological advancements along with reduction in multiplicity of definitions & authorities. The Codes also ease compliance mechanism aiming to promote ease of doing business/setting up of enterprises and catalyze creation of employment opportunities while ensuring safety, health and social security of every worker.  Use  of  technology,  such  as,  web-based  Inspection  has  been introduced in order to ensure transparency & accountability in enforcement. A provision for worker reskilling fund has been envisaged in  the  Industrial  Relations  Code,  2020  for  re-skilling  the  retrenched workers which provides for crediting fifteen days' wages last drawn by the worker.

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