Question : SOCIAL SECURITY FOR WORKERS IN UNORGANISED SECTOR

(a) whether the Government has considered National Social Security Boards as per the Unorganised Labour Social Security Act, 2008;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal for enacting a comprehensive Central legislation to protect the interests of unorganised sector including agricultural labour all over the country;

(d) if so, the measures proposed to be taken for the enactment of such a legislation;

(e) the details of the other schemes being implemented for the welfare of unorganised labour alongwith the funds provided to State Governments under these schemes during the last three years;

(f) whether the Government has decided to extend social security scheme of EPF and ESIC gratuity and pension facilities to all construction, forest and all unorganised sector workers; and

(g) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) to (d): The Government enacted the Unorganised Workers` Social Security Act,2008 to provide social security to unorganized workers, Including, agriculture workers. The National Social Security Board under the said Act, 2008 was constituted on 18.08.2009. The Board recommends social security schemes viz life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, Old age protection and any other benefit as may be determined by the Government for unorganized workers. The Board has since met thrice and made certain recommendations for certain categories of unorganized workers.

(e) The Government is implementing various schemes providing for social security to the workers in the unorganized sector. A Statement showing some of the schemes under schedule-I of the Unorganised Workers` Social Security Act, 2008 is annexed.

(f) & (g): At present there is no proposal to extend social security schemes of EPF and ESIC gratuity and pension facilities to unorganized workers. However, under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme, all citizens above the age of 65 years and living below poverty line are eligible for benefits under the scheme. The Government also launched the National Pension Scheme called Swavalamban Scheme for unorganized sector.