The Ministry of Labour & Employment has recently introduced measures targeted at safeguarding the interests of unorganised labour in India. These initiatives, raised in a written response in the Rajya Sabha, also highlight provisions for the welfare of migrant workers’ children.
Initiatives Benefitting Unorganised Labour
Prominent among these are insurance schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). PMJJBY offers Rs.2.00 Lakh as life cover in case of the insured’s death, for an annual premium of Rs.436/-. On the other hand, PMSBY provides Rs.2.00 Lakh in case of accidental death or total permanent disability and Rs.1.00 lakh for partial permanent disability due to accident for an annual premium of Rs.20/-.
Health and Maternity Benefits
The Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), featuring occupation and deprivation criteria, is the preferred medium for delivering health and maternity benefits. The scheme extends health insurance coverage up to Rs.5.00 Lakhs per family for expenses incurred during secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
Pension Provisions for Old Age Protection
The government has addressed the issue of old age protection for unorganised sector workers by launching the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan Yojana (PM-SYM) in 2019. This pension scheme pledges to provide a monthly pension of Rs.3,000/- post 60 years of age to unorganised workers.
Other Government Schemes
Several other government schemes are in place to promote the welfare of unorganised workers, including the Public Distribution System through One Nation One Ration Card scheme under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act,2005.
Legal Mandate for Unorganised Worker Welfare
The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 necessitates the Government to formulate welfare schemes addressing life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, and old age protection for unorganised sector workers. The Act defines an unorganised worker as a home-based worker, self-employed worker, or a wage worker engaged in the unorganised sector.
Demographics of Unorganised Labour
According to a 2011-12 National Sample Survey Organization survey, India has an estimated total employment of 47 crore. Out of this, approximately 39 crore are engaged in the unorganised sector.
Welfare Provisions for Children of Migrant Workers
The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Services) Act, 1979 safeguards migrant workers’ interests. It calls for registered establishments employing Interstate Migrant Workers and licensed contractors. Workers employed by these establishments are entitled to minimum wages, journey allowance, displacement allowance, residential accommodation, medical facilities, and protective clothing.
Also, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 mandates the Government to provide feeless and compulsory elementary education to children aged 6 to 14 years, which also extends to children of inter-state migrant workers.
