(a) whether the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has taken any initiative for promoting multilateral investment in skill formation and skill upgradation in developing countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/propose to be taken for labour welfare in India?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI MUNI LALL)
(a) & (b): The International Labour Office has an international programme on skills, knowledge and employability, which aims to encourage policies and programmes that increase investments in effective, responsive training and human resource development, including for members of vulnerable groups` (such as disabled persons). The aim is to help workers obtain decent jobs, and thus escape poverty and exclusion, by developing their skills. The programme works with government institutions and employers` and workers` organisations, as well as enterprises, public and private training providers and employment services.
The programme is in part funded from ILO`s regular budget and in part from donor country funding for technical cooperation in developing countries.
In the coming period 2002-2003, the ILO technical cooperation activities are expected to reach some $11.3 million in donor funding in developing countries, focussing on the testing, development and delivery of new training systems that respond to changing labour market trends and use up-to-date training and management techniques.
(c): The Government have taken several steps for the welfare of workers. A large number of existing labour laws like the Workmen`s Compensation Act, 1923, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Employees` State Insurance Act, 1948, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, the Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and Inter-State Migrant Workmen (RE&CS) Act, 1979, the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 and Building and Other Construction Workers` Welfare Cess Act, 1996 have been enacted. These Acts look after the interests of the workers in terms of wages, working hours, social security, etc.
The Government have formulated various schemes under existing Welfare Funds viz.
(i) Beedi Workers Welfare Fund,
(ii) Cine Workers Welfare Fund,
(iii) Iron Ore Mines, Maganese Ore Mines and Chrome Ore Mines Welfare Fund,
(iv) Lime Stone and Dolomite Mines Labour Welfare Fund and
(v) Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund to provide social security and welfare measures like group insurance, medical care, education and housing facilities for the workers in these sectors.
The Government are also implementing a number of Plan Schemes like Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojna (JGSY), Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS), Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojna (SGSY) etc. for the welfare and improvement of the conditions of rural unorganised workers in the country.