GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2874
ANSWERED ON:12.12.2011
UNOGRANIZED SECTOR WORKERS
KAMAL KISHOR
(a)the number of workers engaged in various sectors including the organized and unorganized sector at present, State-wise;
(b)whether the condition of workers engaged in unorganized sector is more pitiable than those of the organized sector`s workers;
(c)if so, the reasons therefor and the reaction of the Government thereto;
(d)whether the Government has decided to extend the benefits of social security schemes like EPF and ESIC, gratuity, pensions and medical facilities etc. to the unorganized sector workers; and
(e)if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof alongwith the number of labourers benefited/likely to be benefited through these schemes, Statewise?
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENTbe pleased to state:-
ANSWER
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)
(a):According to the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) in 2004-05, the total number of labourers was 459 million. About 433 million (about 94%) of the total workforce is engaged in unorganized sector and 26 million in organized sector. State-wise number of organized and unorganised workers is annexed.
(b) & (c):Recognizing the need of providing social security to unorganised workers, the Government has enacted the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008. The Act provides for constitution of National Social Security Board to recommend social security schemes viz life and disability cover, health maternity benefits, old age protection and any other benefit as may be determined by the Government for unorganized workers. The Government launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana for BPL families ( a unit of five) in unorganized sector on 01.10.2007. The scheme providing for smart card based cashless health insurance cover of Rs. 30,000/- per family per annum on a family floater basis became operational from 01.04.2008. More than 2.54 crore families have been covered under the scheme as on 30.11.2011. To provide death and disability cover to rural landless households between the age group of the 18 to 59 years, the Government launched the “Aam Admi Bima Yojana’ with effect from 02.10.2007.
More than 1.78 crore lives have been covered under the scheme as on 31.07.2011. Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension scheme provides for old age pension of Rs. 200 per month to persons above the age of 60 years and for the persons above the age of 80 years the amount of pension has been raised to Rs. 500 per month. The Government is implementing various other employment generation /social security schemes for workers in the unorganised sector, such as Swarnjayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana, Swarn Jayanti Shahari Rojgar Yojana, Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme, Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, Handloom Weavers’ comprehensive Welfare Schemes, Handicraft Artisans` comprehensive Welfare Schemes, Pension to Mastercraftspersons, National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen and Training and Extension, Janani Surkasha Yojana, National Family Benefits Scheme, Janshree Bima Yojana and New Pension Scheme (Swavalamban scheme) through various Ministries/ Departments. The Government has constituted Welfare Fund to provide welfare measures to the beedi workers and their family members. These include health care, housing assistance, education to children and group insurance etc.
(d) & (e): There is no proposal to extend the benefits of social security schemes like EPF and ESIC, gratuity to the unorganized sector workers.