Lok Sabha Question No. 1244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Strengthen the Social Security for Holistic Worker Welfare
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1244 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL SECURITY FOR HOLISTIC WORKER

## WELFARE

## 1244. SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:

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

- (a)whether it is a fact that recognition from the International Social Security  Association  (ISSA)  will  strengthen  country's  leadership role in social security cooperation and knowledge sharing and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to integrate  skill  development,  employment  and  social  security schemes for holistic worker welfare in the country;
- (c)the manner in which the Government is ensuring that the growth in  social security coverage also translates into improved quality
- and accessibility of healthcare and pension services; and
- (d)the details of the steps taken by the Government to improve social security coverage of the country?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): India has been conferred with the Outstanding Achievement  in  Social  Security  Award  2025 by  the International Social Security Association (ISSA), recognising the country's exemplary  efforts  in  expanding  social  protection  coverage  and ensuring  inclusive  welfare  for  its  citizens.    The ISSA  Award is  a prestigious global recognition, presented once every three years at the World Social Security Forum.  The award recognises that India has achieved a historic milestone in the realm of social protection coverage, recording an increase from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025.

A  holistic  approach  to  worker  welfare  has  also  been strengthened through efforts in skill development and employment facilitation.  The Skill India Mission (SIM) delivers skill, re-skill and

up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres  /  institutes  under  various  schemes  like  Pradhan  Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme. Simultaneously, the National Career Service (NCS)  platform  is  connecting  jobseekers  with  employers,  offering career counselling, and facilitating skilling and placement linkages.

India's expansion in social protection coverage has been enabled by a strong foundation of digital and financial inclusion. Bank account coverage under Jan Dhan, combined with Aadhaar-enabled identification  and  the  Direct  Benefit  Transfer  system,  has  enabled benefits to reach the intended recipients swiftly and transparently. Complementing this, a wide array of social protection programmes include Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan, PM- POSHAN, Janani Suraksha Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Saman Nidhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana, protection  through  Ayushman  Bharat, supported  by  the  Ayushman  Bharat  Digital  Mission,  has  extended etc. In addition, Health accessible healthcare.

The Code on Social Security, 2020 has come into force from 21.11.2025. Social security coverage under the Code has been widened to cover both formal and informal workers, including gig and platform  workers.  Its  provisions  include  pan-India  ESIC  coverage, ESIC coverage for establishment which carries on hazardous or lifethreatening occupation even with a single employee. Also, employees under fixed term employment are entitled to all benefits available to permanent employees, including proportionate gratuity after one year of continuous service. Women employees are eligible for 26 weeks of maternity benefit with full leave salary for up to two children, and establishments with 50 or more workers must provide a creche facility. The Code also enables the framing of social security schemes  for unorganised workers covering life and disability insurance, health and maternity benefits, old-age protection, education etc.

Together,  these  initiatives  complement  India's  social security  programmes  by  ensuring  that  workers  not  only  receive protection but also have improved access to skills, jobs and better livelihood opportunities.

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