Question : UNEMPLOYMENT ALLOWANCE UNDER RGSKY

(a) whether the Employees` State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has implemented a scheme namely Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY) to provide unemployment allowance to retrenched workers;

(b) if so, the salient features of the scheme;

(c) the details of unemployment allowance disbursed to retrenched workers under RGSKY during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(d) whether the Government proposes to increase the unemployment allowance to 50 per cent of the salary of one year to such workers;

(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether the Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)/workers who return to India after lost jobs in abroad are eligible for getting benefits under RGSKY;

(g) if so, the details thereof alongwith the number of NRIs/workers benefited therefrom and the amount disbursed to them under RGSKY during said period, yearwise; and

(h) if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT(SHRI HARISH RAWAT)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Employees’ State Insurance Corporation has implemented unemployment scheme called “Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana (RGSKY) with effect from 1.4.2005, under which Unemployment Allowance is paid for 12 months at the rate of 50% of average daily wages to such workers who have been in insurable employment for three years and are rendered jobless due to closure of factory/establishment or retrenchment or permanent invalidity not less than 40% arising out of non-employment injury. Further, there is provision for skill upgradation training for short duration through Advanced Vocational Training Institute to those Insured Persons who are desirous of upgrading their skill.

(c): The details are given in Annexure.

(d) to (e): The unemployment allowance is being paid at the rate of 50% of average wages drawn during last two years.

(f) to (h): No, Madam. The unemployment allowance under RGSKY is paid to only such workers who have been employees of factories/establishments covered under section 1(5) and 2(12) of ESI Act, 1948 for three years and rendered jobless due to closure of factory/establishment or retrenchment or permanent invalidity due to non-employment injury.