(a) the number of agricultural labourers working in the country as on date;
(b) whether the Government propose to bring a bill regarding minimum wages and other facilities to agricultural labourers;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor ?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR (SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN)
(a): A statement is annexed.
(b) to (d): The Minimum Wages Act, 1948 empowers both Central and State Governments to fix and revise the minimum rates of wages for the scheduled employments under their respective jurisdictions. Employment in Agriculture is one of the scheduled employments under the Act.
In order to meet the social security needs of the agricultural workers, the Government has launched `Krishi Shramik Samajik Suraksha Yojana-2001` through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) in 50 identified districts to cover 10 lakh agricultural workers during the first phase of three years. The scheme envisages life-cum-accident insurance, money-back, pension and superannuation benefits to the agricultural workers. The LIC is also operating Jan Shree Bima Yojana, a group insurance scheme for the persons below and marginally above the poverty line. Further, Government is also implementing a number of Plan schemes like Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY), Sampoorn Gramin Rojgar Yojana (SGRY), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana etc. for the welfare of workers in the unorganized sector including agricultural workers. National Social Assistance Programme covering old-age pension, family and maternity benefits for select groups is also in operation.