(a) whether the Government has formulated a National Policy for Home Based Workers in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has made any survey to find out the number of workers engaged in various home based sectors and also their social problems;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government for the welfare and social security of such workers in the country?
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI K. CHANDRASEKHAR RAO)
(a) & (b): No National Policy exclusively for Home Based Workers has been formulated.
(c) & (d): No survey of the workers engaged exclusively in Home Based Sectors has been conducted. However, as per the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) during 1999-2000 there are about 37 crores workers engaged in Unorganized Sectors which includes Home Based workers.
(e): The Government has initiated several measures for the welfare of the labourers in the unorganised sector including home based workers. Welfare Funds have been set up to provide social security/welfare measures to certain categories of workers i.e. bidi workers which is a major constituent of the home based workers, certain non-coal mine workers and cine workers which are part of unorganised workers. The welfare measures include health care, housing, educational assistance for children, drinking water supply, etc. In addition to this, the Government is implementing the various poverty alleviation/employment generation schemes. Welfare Schemes have also been launched for handloom weavers and artisans who are mainly home based workers. These workers are provided assistance for workshed-cum-housing, credit, health package, insurance, etc. Further, Janshree Beema Yojana providing for Insurance cover to the people living below or marginally above the poverty line is also available for the workers in the unorganised sectors.