Question : Social Security Schemes for Casual Workers

(a)whether the Government is implementing various Acts and schemes to provide social security and welfare benefits to casual workers both in the organised and unorganized sector and if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether it is a fact that despite labour laws the casual labourers in the country are not getting basic medical and maternity benefits;
(c)if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(d)the details of the sectors where the casual labourers are reportedly deprived from their due social status and if so, the steps taken by the Government to extend all basic facilities to the casual labourers in the country; and
(e)the details of number of casual/ contract labourers engaged during each of the last three years and the current year in organised and unorganised sector?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (e): In order to provide social security benefits to the workers in the unorganised sector, including casual labourers, as per their eligibility, Government enacted the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008. This Act stipulates 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. Life and disability cover is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to the unorganised workers depending upon their eligibility. The health and maternity benefits are addressed through Ayushman Bharat scheme.
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For old age protection in the form of monthly pension, Ministry of Labour & Employment has launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana launched on 05th March, 2019 which is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for providing monthly minimum assured pension of Rs. 3,000/- on attaining the age of 60 years. The unorganised workers in the age group of 18-40 years whose monthly income is Rs. 15,000/- or less and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS can join the scheme. Under the scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government.

The Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 applies to all the scheduled industries and notified class of establishments having 20 or more employees in both Organised and Unorganized sectors, including casual workers.
The casual workers are entitled to benefits as admissible under the relevant labour laws which are enforced by the respective enforcement machinery available under the central and the state sphere.
Regular inspections are carried out to ensure enforcement of the provisions of Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, Minimum Wages Act, 1958, Payment of Wages Act, 1936, Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, 1979, Building and Other Construction Workers, 1996 by Central Industrial Relations Machinery (CIRM) in the central sphere. Further, regular inspections are also carried out by CIRM to ensure enforcement of the provisions of Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 in the central sphere, in relation to the establishments being a mine or establishments wherein persons are employed for exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances.

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