Question : Wages Paid to Labourers Employed in Mines

(a) the number of labourers employed in the coal mines located in the State of Chhattisgarh and various mines of the country during the last five years and till date including the rate at which they are being paid;
(b) whether Coal Mines Provident Fund (CMPF) account of the labourers employed in the coal mines have been opened and the share of the employer and the labourers is being deposited and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether CMPF account of most of the labourers employed in the mines have not been opened due to which the share of the employer and the labourers is not being deposited, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the action taken against the officers who have not opened CMPF account of the labourers?

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)
(a): A total of 390777 labourers/employees are contributing towards Coal Mines Provident Fund (CMPF) out of which 48431 labourers/employees are employed in Coal Mines in Chhattisgarh. Coal Mines Provident Fund Organisation (CMPFO) is getting provident fund and pension contribution @ 12% and 7% respectively each from employer and labourer/employees. During the last five years, the total enrollment is 79,909 out of which 14,590 are from Chhattisgarh. The outsourcing companies engaged in mining activities in subsidiaries of Coal India Limited are paying wages to their workers at rate recommended by the High Power Committee, which is the mid wage prescribed by the Central Government under Minimum Wage Act, 1948 and the wages payable to the lowest category of regular workers at CIL i.e. Category-I of NCWA. HPC wages are higher than the Central Government prescribed minimum wages.
(b): Yes, Sir. Contribution from all the labourers/employees having CMPF Account Number is under receipt.
(c): CMPF account number is allotted to workers on receipt of requisite Form duly forwarded by the concerned Authorized Officer of the Coal Mines. As on date all employee of coal companies are covered under CMPF. The labourers engaged through contractors have option to be covered under CMPF or EPF. Account of all employees covered under CMPF has been opened whose requisite details has been received in CMPFO from Coal Mines.
(d): Does not arise in view of answer to Part (c) above.
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