Lok Sabha Question No. 944 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Schemes for Skilled and Unskilled Migrant Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Khalilur Rahaman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 944 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## SCHEMES FOR SKILLED AND UNSKILLED MIGRANT LABOURERS

944.  SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN:

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

- (a)the details of the schemes/programmes launched/implemented by the Government for the welfare of the skilled and unskilled migrant labourers in the country;
- (b)whether the Government has conducted/is considering to conduct any study/survey in respect of prevailing conditions of the migrant workers at working places and in view of covid-19 pandemic;
- (c)if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)the steps taken/being taken by the Government to bring improvement in the overall conditions of the workers as well as in their safety and health conditions?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Migrant workers are engaged in various occupations. The Government  is  implementing  several  social  security  and  welfare schemes for workers including skilled and unskilled migrant workers. These schemes include; (i) Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), (ii) PM SVANidhi Scheme, (iii) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. (iv) Ayushman Bharat  Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Arogya  Yojana  and  (v)  Pradhan  Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM).

Labour  Bureau  has  conducted  an  All  India  Survey  on Migrant Workers, on their socio economic characteristics. The field work of the survey has been completed.

Contd..2/-

The Ministry of Labour and Employment launched eShram portal  (eshram.gov.in)  on  26th  August  2021  for  creation  of  a comprehensive National Database of Unorganised Workers, including migrant workers, verified and seeded with Aadhaar.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has also launched the  eShram -'One -StopSolution'  on  21st  October  2024.  eShram'One -StopSolution' entails  integration  of  diffe rent  Social  Security/ Welfare schemes  at single portal i.e., eShram. This enables unorganised workers registered on eShram to access social security schemes and see benefits availed by them, through eShram. So far, twelve (12) Social Security/ Welfare Schemes have been integrated/ mapped  with  eShram  which  includes:  -  Mahatma  Gandhi  National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, National Social Assistance Programme (Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme, Indira Gandhi  National  Widow  Pension  Scheme,  National  Family  Benefit Scheme) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana -Gramin (PMAY-G), etc.

The Government has enacted four Labour Codes, namely, Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions, 2020 and Social Security, Code 2020, inter-alia, to improve welfare, safety and health of the workers. Labour Codes have following provisions in this regard:

- Statutory right created for minimum wage and timely payment to all workers electronically.
- ➢
- State cannot fix minimum wage rate below Floor wage.
- Schemes  for unorganized workers and gig and platform workers.
- ➢
- Social Security Fund for unorganized workers.
- Portability of PDS and other benefits for building workers and
- inter-state migrant workers (ISMW).
- Safety regulations such as ventilation, fencing, overcrowding
- etc. aligned with international standards.
- ➢
- Free of cost annual health check-up for employees.
- Re-skilling  Fund  from  employer  contribution:  Fifteen  days wages to be paid to a retrenched worker.
- Career Centre for skilling, career and entrepreneurship guidance i.e. National Career Service portal.
- Mandatory appointment letter to every employee.
- ➢
- Fixed term employment to promote direct employment.

- Promote gender neutrality and prohibit discrimination in recruitment and wage payment.
- Women allowed to work at night in all establishments subject to their consent and safety.
- Maternity  benefits  of  26  weeks  leave  with  pay  for  women employees.
- 'Work from home' for women after availing mat ernity leave on mutually agreed employment conditions with employer.
- All establishments having 50 or more workers to ensure crèche facility.

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