Lok Sabha Question No. 3636 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-21
Subject: Implementation of UWSSA
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: BHARAT SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3636 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.12.2015

## IMPLEMENTATION OF UWSSA

## †3636. SHRI BHARAT SINGH:

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

- (a)whether the implementation of Unorganised Workers Social Security  Act  (UWSSA)  has  failed  to  provide  job  security  from arbitrarily  employing  and  sacking  of  labourers  including  tribal labourers,  protecting  labourers  from  accidents  at  work  place  and health  hazards,  social  security,  education,  pension  and  maternity related benefits;
- (b)if so, the reasons therefor along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c)whether  due  to  lack  of  coordination  among  various  implementing agencies  and  split  authority  structure  in  handling  independently, implementation of various schemes under the said Social Security Act proved insufficient; and
- (d)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  corrective  measures proposed to be taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

- (a) to (d): The Government has enacted 'Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008' (UWSS Act) for the welfare of unorganised workers. Though  there  is  no  provision  of  job  security,  the  Act  provides  for formulation  of  suitable  welfare  schemes  for  unorganised  workers  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  through  the  National  Social Security  Board.  Various  Social  Security  Schemes,  formulated  by  the Government  to  provide  social  security  cover  to  the  unorganized workers, listed in the Schedule I of the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act, 2008 are as under:

- i. Indira  Gandhi  National  Old  Age  Pension  Scheme.  (Ministry  of Rural Development)
2. ii.
3. National Family Benefit Scheme. (Ministry of Rural Development)
4. iii.
5. JananiSuraksha Yojana. (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
- iv. Handloom Weavers' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme.(Ministry of Textiles)
- v. Handicraft Artisans' Comprehensive Welfare Scheme. (Ministry of Textiles)
8. vi.
9. Pension to Master Craft Persons. (Ministry of Textiles)
- vii. National  Scheme  for  Welfare  of  Fishermen  and  Training  and Extension. (Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries)
11. viii.
12. AamAadmi Bima Yojana. (Ministry of Labour and Employment).
- ix. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)

All the above mentioned schemes are independently handled and implemented by the Central Ministries/Departments concerned.

The National Social Security Board constituted by virtue of the enabling provisions of the UWSS  Act,  coordinates  with various ministries for smooth implementation of these schemes.

The health and safety aspects of workers are dealt by specific provisions enshrined in the Acts and Rules covering specific groups of workers.  The  Mines  Act  1952,  Factories  Act  1948,  Building  &Other Construction  Workers'  (Regulation  of  Employment&  Conditions  of Service) Act 1996, Contract Labour (Regulation &Abolition) Act 1970, Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act 1986,  Beedi and Cigar Workers  (Conditions  of  Employment)  Act,  1966,  the  Limestone  and Dolomite  Mines  Labour  Welfare  Fund  Act,  1972,  the  Iron  Ore  Mines, Manganese  Ore  Mines  and  Chrome  Ore  Mines  Labour  Welfare  Fund Act,1976, the Cine Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1981,Mica Mines Labour Welfare  Fund  Act,1946,  do  have  specific  safety  &  health  related provisions, which are enforced by prescribed inspection  mechanism.

The cess Fund Acts are complemented with health and educational assistance schemes. Similarly, AABY also has a component of educational assistance for two children of the workers for  studies  from  9 th   to  12 th   standard,  along  with  insurance  against death and disability.

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