(a)whether the Government is assessing the companies which have used covid-19 as justification to slash jobs;
(b)if so, the measures taken by the Government against companies following these practices;
(c)whether the Government is planning to introduce job retention policy to prevent job losses; and
(d)if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (d): The Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic followed by nationwide lockdown has affected economies across the globe including India. Government has taken several initiatives to address the challenges and threats posed by Covid-19.
The organization of Chief Labour Commissioner(C), Ministry of Labour & Employment has received a number of complaints regarding termination of employment of workers of the industrial establishment falling in the Central Sphere during the Covid-19 pandemic period. Action was initiated as per the provisions under Industrial Dispute Act 1947 and other relevant labour laws to resolve such disputes. Besides, to deal with complaints/distress calls of workers in Central sphere, 20 region wise control rooms across the
Contd..2/-
:: 2 ::
country were set up under the supervision of the Chief Labour Commissioner(C). Government of India has taken a number of initiatives for promoting employment generation in the country. Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY) Scheme is being implemented to incentivize creation of new employment along with social security benefits and restoration of loss of employment during COVID-19 pandemic. This scheme being implemented through the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), reduces the financial burden of the employers of various sectors/industries including MSMEs and encourages them to hire more workers. Under ABRY, Government of India is crediting for a period of two years both the employees’ share (12% of wages) and employers’ share (12% of wages) of contribution payable or only the employees’ share, depending on employment strength of the EPFO registered establishments.
Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), Government of India has contributed both 12% employer’s share and 12% employee’s share under Employees Provident Fund (EPF), totalling 24% of the wage for the wage month from March to August, 2020 for the establishments having upto 100 employees with 90% of such employees earning less than Rs. 15000/-. Under the PMGKY scheme Rs 2567.66 crore was credited in EPF accounts of 38.82 lakhs eligible employees.
Further, more than Rupees twenty seven lakh crore of financial package under “Aatm Nirbhar Bharat Yojna” has been launched specifically to create employment opportunities for migrant workers; workers for unorganised sector; strengthening of MSME Sector; and promoting rural economy. It includes plethora of initiatives for all these sectors.
******