The report of the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) estimates that about 92 percent workforce is in the informal sector.  The salient feature of the report is given below:

 

Salient features of the Report of National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector on Social Security for unorganized sector

 

          The National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) in its report on Social Security for Unorganised Workers has recommended a legislation for the social security for unorganised workers. The salient features of the proposed legislation are:

 

Social Security Benefits

 

      The Central Government to formulate a scheme to be called National Social Security Scheme for unorganised workers consisting of following minimum social security benefits:

(i)    hospitalisation cover up to Rs.15,000 and  sickness cover for the registered worker during hospitalization at Rs.50 per day for a maximum period of 15 days.

 (ii)  Maternity benefit of Rs.1,000 (maximum) per delivery

(iii)  Personal accident cover in the event of death of earning head of family to the tune of Rs.25,000

(iv)  Two options for old age security: (a) Monthly old age pension of Rs.200 per month to all poor (BPL) old aged (60+) workers, and

(v) Provident Fund to all other workers (who are required to contribute to the national social security scheme).

         The State Government may formulate schemes relating to:

·         Provident fund

·         Employment injury benefits

·         Housing schemes

·         Educational schemes for children of workers

·         Skill upgradation; etc.

·         Funeral Assistance

·         Marriage of daughters; and

·         Any other schemes to enhance the socio-economic security of unorganized workers.

 

 

Setting up of National Social Security Fund:

 

(a)    Grants and loans from the Central Government.

(b)  Contribution from workers, employers, Governments for the specified national minimum social security given as under :

(i)                Rs. 1/- per day for BPL workers by the Central Government

(ii)              Rs. 1/- per day by the employer wherever identified. For those where employer is not identified, the contribution to be shared by the Central Government & State Government in the ratio of 3:1

(iii)            Rs. 0.75 per worker per day by the Central Government and Rs. 0.25 per worker per day by the State Government

 

The following are legislations for unorganized sector:

·         The Mica Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1946;

·         The Limestone and Dolomite Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1972;

·         The Iron Ore, Manganese Ore and Chrome Ore Mines Labour Welfare Fund Act, 1976;

·         The Beedi Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1976;

·         The Cine Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1981.

·         The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and working Conditions) Act, 1996;

·         The Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979  

·         The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970;

·         The Minimum Wages Act, 1948,

·         The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976; and

The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986,*                                                               

The Union Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge  gave this information in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

 

 

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