Question : POLICY FOR RAG PICKERS

(a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing number of rag pickers in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including rag pickers from Sirsa, Haryana;

(c) whether rag pickers are not covered by any substantial labour laws;

(d) the extent to which the Unorganized Workers` Social Security Act, 2008, help in ameliorating the living conditions of rag pickers in the country;

(e) whether the Government has constituted a Task Force for evolving a policy framework for rag pickers;and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH)

(a) & (b) The total number of rag pickers is not known.

(c) & (d) Rag pickers are unorganized workers who are presently not covered by any substantial labour laws. However, the Government has enacted the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 for the social security and welfare of unorganised workers including rag pickers.

(e) & (f) A Task Force was constituted to consider extending Social Security schemes to rag pickers. The Task Force recommended extension of Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to rag pickers.