(a)whether the Government is aware of the increase in suicides committed by daily wage earners, as specified in the National Crime Records Bureau’s reports;
(b)if so, the details whether the Government has identified reasons contributing to the same;
(c)whether the Government has any provisions in place to improve the situation and wages of daily wage earners; and
(d)if so, details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) & (b): As reported by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total of 15,735, 23,799 and 25,164 suicides were committed by daily wage earners during 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. However, NCRB has no information or identified reasons contributing to the same.
(c) & (d): Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, both Central and State Governments are appropriate Governments to fix, review and revise the minimum wages of the workers employed in scheduled employment under the respective jurisdictions.
Contd..2/-
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Further, as per the Wage Rate data maintained by Labour Bureau, there has generally been a continuous positive growth in nominal average wage rate in Rural India at All India level over time.
In order to provide social security benefits to the workers in the unorganized sector including workers in agriculture sector, the Government has enacted the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008. This Act stipulates formulation of suitable welfare schemes for unorganized 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. Life and disability cover is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti BimaYojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana (PMSBY) to the unorganized workers depending upon their eligibility. The health and maternity benefits are addressed through Ayushman Bharat scheme. For old age protection in the form of minimum assured monthly pension, Government of India has recently launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM). Under the scheme, which is on contributory basis, minimum assured monthly pension of Rs. 3000/- will be provided to the unorganized workers after attaining the age of 60 years.
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