Question : Unorganised Workers Social Security Act- 2008

(a)the salient features of the schemes envisaged under the ‘Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008’;
(b)the details and the number of registrations done along with the number of beneficiaries so far under the Act, State/ UT-wise;
(c)whether the beneficiaries of the said schemes have increased during each of the last three years and the current year, if so, the details thereof along with the present number of beneficiaries of the said schemes, scheme-wise and State/UT-wise;
(d)whether the cases of malpractices/ irregularities/corruption under the said schemes have come to the notice of the Government during the said period and if so, the details thereof, scheme-wise and State/UT-wise; and
(e)the corrective steps taken by the Government for the effective implementation of the said schemes and to keep check on malpractices, irregularities therein?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (c): In order to provide social security benefits to the workers in the unorganised sector, the Government has enacted the
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unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008. This Act stipulates formulation of suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers on matters relating to: (i) life and disability cover, (ii) health and maternity benefits, (iii) old age protection and (iv) any other benefit as may be determined by the Central Government. The life and disability cover is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to the unorganised workers depending upon their eligibility. Government of India and State Governments pay the annual premium in equal share. The health and maternity benefits are addressed through Ayushman Bharat scheme. For old age protection in the form of monthly pension, Government of India has recently launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM). Under the scheme, minimum assured monthly pension of Rs. 3000/- will be provided to the unorganised workers after attaining the age of 60 years. Prescribed monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government. As per provisions of the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008, every unorganised worker shall be eligible for registration subject to the fulfilment of the two conditions; he or she should have completed fourteen years of age; and a self-declaration by him or her confirming that he or she is an unorganised worker. Every unorganised worker shall be registered by the District Administration. The State Governments are mandated to register the Unorganised Workers. The scheme-wise and State/UT-wise beneficiaries of the schemes envisaged under the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 is not centrally maintained by Ministry of Labour and Employment.

(d) & (e): No such cases are reported to Ministry of Labour and Employment.

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