(a) whether the workers of the unorganised sector do not get social security cover under workers compensation Act 1923, Employee State Insurance Act 1948, Maternity Benefit Act 1961, Gratuity Act 1972 and Employee Provident Fund Act 1952 and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is making any arrangement to provide social security to the workers of unorganised sector; and
(c) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)
(a): The ‘unorganized worker’ has been defined under the Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 as a home-based worker, self-employed worker or a wage worker in the unorganized sector and includes a worker in the organized sector who is not covered by any of the Acts mentioned in Schedule-II of this Act namely (i) The Workmen''s Compensation Act, 1923 (8 of 1923 ) (ii) The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947) (iii) The Employees'' State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948) (iv) The Employees'' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (19 of 1952) (v) The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (53ofl961) (vi) The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (39 of l972).
Contd…2/-
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(b) & (c): The Government has enacted “Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008” for the welfare of unorganised workers. The Act provides for 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 through the National Social Security Board.
The Act also enjoins upon State Governments to formulate schemes relating to (a) provident fund; (b) employment injury benefits; (c) housing; (d) educational schemes for children; (e) skill upgradation of workers; (f) funeral assistance; and (g) old age homes.
Central Government has already taken various steps to provide social security cover for the unorganized workers. The schemes listed in Schedule I of the Act are as under:
i. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development)
ii. National Family Benefit Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development)
iii. Janani Suraksha Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
iv. Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (Ministry of Textiles)
v. Handicraft Artisans’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (Ministry of Textiles)
vi. Pension to Master Craft Persons (Ministry of Textiles)
vii. National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen and Training and Extension. (Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries)
viii. Janshree Bima Yojana and Aam Admi Bima Yojana (Department of Financial Services).
ix. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare)
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