The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 mandates the government to formulate 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. The Life and disability cover is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Surksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). The health and maternity benefits are provided through Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) which is a universal health scheme. Old age protection is provided to the unorganised sector workers through Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme.  The details of fund under AB-PMJAY are as under;

 

Year	Amount of central share of premium released to the States (Rs. in crores)
2019-20	2992.93
2020-21	2544.09
2021-22	2940.66

 

The details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred under PM-SYM is as under:

 

(Rs. in crore)

 

Year	Fund allocated	Expenditure
2019-20	408.00	359.95
2020-21	330.00	319.71
2021-22	350.00	324.23

 

Further, Skill India Mission aims to empower the Indian youth through skill development. Under Skill India Mission, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is implementing its flagship scheme Pradhan Mantra Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). PMKVY has two components namely Short-Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Under PMKVY, unemployed youth including labourers/construction workers are provided short duration skill training to become employable and earn their livelihood. RPL enables individuals to obtain skill certification.  Individuals with prior learning experience or skills can register themselves and get assessed and certified. RPL mainly focuses on the individuals engaged in unregulated sectors including labourers/construction workers. The training/orientation duration under RPL ranges between 12-80 hours. Under the PMKVY 4.04 lakh labourers/construction workers have been oriented out of which 2.93 lakhs workers got certified. The trainees are also provided accidental insurance coverage, reward money, conveyance allowance, post placement support, boarding & lodging, etc.

 

Apart from these schemes, Atal Pension Yojana, Public Distribution System under National Food Security Act, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gramin Kaushal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, National Social Assistance Programme, Gareeb Kalyan Rojgar Yojana, Mahatma Gandhi Bunkar Bima Yojana, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Antyodaya Yojana, PMSVA Nidhi, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, are also available to the unorganised workers depending upon their eligibility criteria. 

To improve the working conditions, the Government of India has declared the National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Workplace (NPSHEW) which aims to establish a preventive safety and health culture in the country through elimination of the incidence of work related injuries, diseases, fatalities, disasters and to enhance the well-being of employees in all the sectors of economic activity in the country.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

 

 

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