Dr. Sahib Singh, Union Labour Minister has said that social security to the unorganized sectors’ workers will not only help the poor to dispel their fears, but also make our democracy meaningful. He further said that unless we work for the poorest of the poor, we will not fulfill dreams of our democracy. The social security scheme will strengthen the poor and these workers, in turn, will strengthen our nation. Dr. Sahib Singh was addressing the vast gathering at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on the occasion of launching country-wide social security scheme for unorganized sectors’ workers. The function was presided over by Shri Devender Mondal who represented the unorganized sector workers. The function was also attended by Dr. V.K. Malhotra, M.P., Shri Vijay Goel, Minister of State for Sports & Youth Affairs and a representative of SEWA, a voluntary organization, Smt. Reena Jhabwala.
Elaborating the social security scheme, Dr. Sahib Singh said, that workers will contribute Rs. 50/- per month, the employer will contribute Rs. 50/- per month and Government will contribute 1.16 per cent of the national floor level minimum wage. This scheme will ensure minimum pension of Rs. 500/- per month at the age of 60 years; a personal accident insurance for Rs. One lakh 25 thousand, and a health insurance scheme for expenses upto Rs. 30,000/-. “This will dispel the fears from the eyes of our poor for all time to come”, he said. He also said that in case of the head of the family, if he is not able to earn his bread because of hospitalization, he will be given a lump-sum amount @ Rs. 50/- per day upto 15 days as compensation to his earning. He said we will provide them with social security cards to ensure that these street vendors are not unnecessarily harassed. This will also go a long way to eliminate child labour from our country. This gigantic scheme, which was launched today, will be run in 50 select distt. on pilot basis for five years. The Employees Provident Fund Organisation will manage this Scheme. Union Labour Minister thanked the Prime Minister, Dy.PM and Finance Minister for their valuable help and guidance in finalization and clearance of the scheme.
The scheme was launched on the 107th Birth Anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and hence created an atmosphere of jubilation and gaiety. The function started with a brief cultural programme and floral tributes to Dr. Deen Dayal Upadhyay and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The scheme was symbolically launched by Shri Devender Mondal on behalf of unorganized sectors’ workers. The people gathered from all over the country and were full of enthusiasm on the occasion. The scheme will benefit 37 crore workers in the unorganized sectors.
(Release ID :798)