Question : Musculoskeletal Disorders

(a) whether the Government is aware of the various health hazards associated with handloom workers including weakened eyesight, early cataract and most importantly Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) which directly affect the work and future life of these handloom workers;

(b) If so, the steps taken by the Government to minimise the hazards attached to such profession so that the health and the longevity of the workers is protected and the family continues to enjoy the health and life of their bread winner; and

(c) whether the Government has any plans of introducing schemes which focus on providing proper training to these workers to use the new techniques and protect themselves from the hazards attached to the profession to avoid physical risks, if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF TEXTILES
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a to c): Towards creating a healthy work environment for the weavers, the Government of India provides various types of assistance. To improve the posture of weavers and their work comfort amongst other benefits, modern Handlooms are provided. To withstand the vagaries of nature, worksheds are constructed and to reduce stress on eyes after sunset, Solar lighting units are also provided.

Further, Government of India, Ministry of Textiles has implemented Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) on the pattern of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) upto March, 2018 for handloom workers. The RSBY was implemented by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) for all workers. With the launch of Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) on 23.09.2018, RSBY has been subsumed in it.

The Scheme provides healthcare facilities upto Rs.5.00 lakh per family to around 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families. All such beneficiary families under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana that do not figure in the targeted groups as per SECC data are also covered under PMJAY. AB-PMJAY covers deprived families in rural areas and families of workers of identified occupational categories in urban areas, as per the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) -2011 database.

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