(a)the total number of tea workers in the country at present;
(b)the details of different State and Central level Insurance Schemes for tea workers in the organised sector and unorganised sector across the country;
(c)whether the Government has formulated any specific scheme for such workers;
(d)if so, the details thereof; and
(e)the other steps taken by the Government for the welfare of tea workers in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)
(a): The total number of tea plantation workers in the country is 1131942 (726247 permanent and 405695 temporary workers) at present.
(b): There is no specific Insurance Scheme meant for workers at small tea gardens under implementation by the Tea Board. However, a Group Personal Accident Insurance Scheme is being implemented by the Tea Board for the benefit of the workers of small tea growers. Out of total premium of Rs.72/ -per worker, a nominal premium of Rs.3.50 is the contribution of the worker and the balance Rs.68.50 is borne by Tea Board. Besides, tea workers in Assam are covered under the Assam Tea Plantations Provident Fund and Pension Fund and Deposit Linked Insurance Scheme Act, 1955 within the scope of the Act. Tea workers of organized sector in other states are covered under the Employees’ Deposit-Link Insurance Scheme, 1976 of the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952.
Contd..2/-
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(c) & (d): With the objective of protecting the small tea growers, upto 10.00 hectare, from the twin risks of weather and prices resulting in loss of income / sustainability and for stabilizing income, the Government has approved implementation of a Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crop (RISPC) on pilot basis spread over two years commencing from 2016-17 & 2017-18 in three selected districts of three States viz. Golaghat (Assam), Jalpaiguri (West Bengal) and the Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu).
(e): The Plantation Labour Act, 1951 mandates the tea estates to provide basic welfare services and amenities viz. housing, medical and primary education, water supply, sanitation etc. to the tea workers. Moreover, the workers of the tea industry are covered by all social security legislations like the Employees’ Compensation Act 1923, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, the Assam Tea Plantation Provident Fund and Pension Fund and Deposit Link Insurance Fund Scheme Act, 1955 – only for Assam.
Besides, the Government implements through the Tea Board various welfare activities for tea plantation workers and their dependents in tea estates. The welfare activities undertaken by the Tea Board under the Human Resource Development (HRD) Scheme aim at improving the health and hygiene of workers, education of wards of workers and imparting training to improve skills for growers/workers.
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