Welfare Scheme for Workers
The Government has formulated the Code on Social Security, 2020 which envisages the framing of suitable social security schemes for gig workers and platform workers on matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc.
However, these provisions under the Code have not come into force. The Government also launched e-Shram portal on 26.08.2021 for registration and creation of a Comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers including gig workers and platform workers.
It allows a person to register himself or herself on the portal on a self-declaration basis, which is spread across around 400 occupations.
To provide for conditions of service and other matters incidental thereto or connected therewith for the Service Sector, Manufacturing Sector, and Mining Sector, the Central Government has published three draft Model Standing Orders under the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 for stakeholders comments in the official gazettee on 31st December 2020.
Industrial Relations Code inter-alia provides that “a worker shall not at any time work against the interest of the industrial establishment in which he is employed and shall not take any employment in addition to his job in the industrial establishment, which may adversely affect the interest of his employer, but, the employer may permit him to take up an additional job, assignment with conditions or without conditions and the worker shall obtain the prior permission of the employer.”
The Government has in the year 2019 launched Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) scheme in order to provide old age protection in the form of a monthly assured pension of Rs. 3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years to the workers of unorganized sectors. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
The workers in the age group of 18-40 years whose monthly income is Rs. 15,000/- or less and not a member of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation/Employees’ State Insurance Corporation/National Pension System (Government Funded) are eligible to join the scheme.
The premium ranges from Rs. 55/- to 200/- depending on the age of the beneficiary. Under the scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and an equal matching contribution is paid by the Government of India.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
