A comprehensive review of the various attached offices and autonomous institutions of the Ministry of Labour and Employment was held today, chaired by the Secretary (L&E), Ms. Sumita Dawra, in Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi.  During the review, an update on the functioning of Offices of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), etc., along with that of training institutions, namely, V.V. Giri National Labour Institute (VVGNLI) and Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education and Development (DTNBWED) was taken up.

It was reiterated that the Ministry, with the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), will continue the drive for (i) review and resolution of pending cases of Industrial Disputes and Claim Cases, (ii) timely onboarding of inspection reports on Shram Suvidha Portal, besides (iii) undertaking review of inspection formats, with a view to streamlining processes.

Review of pendency in the Central Government Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Courts (CGITs) and bringing reforms through e-Courts was emphasized. Judicial training of Central Labour Service (CLS) officers with respect to development needs of tripartite constituents, i.e. the Central and State officers, Trade Union Members, and Members of Employment organizations, etc.

Both training institutes of the Ministry i.e., DTNBWED and VVGNLI, were directed to review, rationalize and monitor the existing training modules in a time bound manner, so as to align with contemporary requirements related to labour welfare and employment. The Capacity Building Commission will also be consulted in the process.

Further, EPFO was asked to focus on preparations for the launch of Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, with respect to preparedness of IT infrastructure and aspects related to capacity building, etc.  For the upcoming Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting on 30^th November, 2024, EPFO was directed to be ready with various important aspects to be reported to the CBT members.

The Ministry’s work in Labour Bureau with respect to finalization of various surveys including the All India Quarterly Establishment-based Employment Survey (AQEES), progress of Minimum Wage Committee was discussed.  In the area of employment, upgradation of National Career Service (NCS) portal and convergence of National Career Service Centres for Differently Abled with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was emphasized.

ESIC was asked to focus on their priorities related to construction, establishment of new medical colleges, procurement, Human Resources (HR) related work, strengthening audit cell and bringing about improvement in both ESIC and ESIS Hospitals.  Policy related to tie up of ESIC with Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) was also emphasized.

The Chair highlighted that strengthening social security for workers including unorganized workers with respect to healthcare, retirement benefits, pension, schemes of the Government will improve the health and productivity of the employees, contributing to nation building and Viksit Bharat.

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Himanshu Pathak

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