Lok Sabha Question No. 175 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-11-30
Subject: Safety of Unorganised Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: BHARATENDRA SINGH, KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 175 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2015

## SAFETY OF UNORGANISED WORKERS

## 175. KUNWAR BHARATENDRA: SHRI KIRTI AZAD:

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

- (a)the measures taken by the Government to bring unorganized labour into the economic mainstream;
- (b)whether  there  is  a  proposal  to  gradually  shift  farm  labourers  into organized labour sector and if so, the details regarding the same;
- (c)the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  security  at workplace including society of courier boys carrying huge loads on two  wheelers,  etc.  and  also  whether  any  guideline/regulation  has been made to address the issue;
- (d)if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)the number of unorganized labourers who have joined social welfare schemes and the roadmap to improve the inclusion of unorganized labourers into social security net and also plan to regularisation of such workers including the said courier boys?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): Section 10 of the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act 2008,  inter  alia  provides  for  issuance  of  a  nationally  portable  smart card  carrying  a  unique  identification  number  to  the  unorganised workers  including  farm  labourers  to  help  them  avail  the  benefits  of various  social  security  schemes  being  implemented  by  the  Central Government and the States/UTs. The task of issuance of Smart Card is vested in the District Administration. Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) is mandated to give directions to State Governments in respect of matters relating to the implementation of the provisions of this Act.

(c) & (d): The workers working in the organised sector get security cover  as  per  their  eligibility  under  the  provisions  of  the  Workmen's Compensation  Act  (1923),  the  Industrial  Dispute  Act  (1947),  the Employees' State Insurance Act (1948), the Building and Other Construction Workers Act (1996), Employees' Deposits Linked Insurance  Scheme  (1976),  etc.  and  those  workers  working  in  the unorganised sector are covered under various social security schemes listed  in  the  Schedule  I  of  the  Unorganised  Workers  Social  Security Act, 2008.

- (e): According to the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) during 2011-12, the total employment in the  unorganised  sector  in  the  country  was  about  39  crores.  The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 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  Schemes,  formulated  by  the  Government  to provide social security cover to the unorganized workers, listed in the Schedule I of the above Act are as under:
- i. Indira  Gandhi  National  Old  Age  Pension  Scheme  (Ministry  of Rural Development)
- ii.
- National Family Benefit Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development)
- iii.
- Janani Suraksha 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)
- vi.
- 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)
- viii. Janshree Bima Yojana and Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (Ministry of Labour and Employment).
- ix. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).

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