(a) whether the Government is aware of migration of labourers/workers in and out of States in search of livelihood/ employment;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to check such migration as well as for providing benefits of various social security schemes for the welfare of such labourers?
MINISTER OF STATE(IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) & (b): Labourers/workers do migrate in and out of the States in search of livelihood. The Constitution of India guarantees the right to every citizen to move to and reside in any State/UT in search of Occupation/Job. However, No details regarding migration are maintained at the Central level.
(c): The problems of migration/migrant workers is sought to be addressed through a multi dimensional course of action through rural development, provision of improved infrastructural facilities, equitable dispersal of resources to remove regional disparities, employment generation, land reforms, increased literacy, financial assistance etc. The Government has enacted the Unorganized Workers Social
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Security Act, 2008 to provide for the welfare of unorganized workers including migrant workers on matters relating to: life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits; old age protection and any other benefit as may be determined. In addition, the Central Government has recently converged the social security schemes of Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) with Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to provide life and disability coverage to the unorganised workers including migrant workers for the age group of 18 to 50 years depending upon their eligibility. Converged PMJJBY gives coverage of Rs. 2 lakhs on death at premium of Rs. 330/- per annum while Converged PMSBY gives coverage of Rs. 2 lakhs on accidental death and disability at premium of Rs. 12 per annum. These converged schemes are being implemented by Life Insurance Corporation of India. The annual premium is shared on 50:50 basis by the Central Government and the State Governments. In Order to safe guard the interests of the migrant workers, the Government has also enacted Inter State Migrant Workmen ( Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 which, Iter-alia, provides for payment of minimum wages, journey allowance, displacement allowance, residential accommodation, medical facilities and protective clothing etc. to the eligible inter –state migrant workers.
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