Shri Mallikarjun Kharge Minister for Labour & Employment has conveyed his best wishes on the auspicious occasion of May Day to all workers, employers, civil society Organisations and the Government. In his message he reiterated the Government would continue efforts to promote the welfare of workers and provide all social security measures to the working class of organized as well as unorganized sectors. Following is the text of the Minister’s message on International Labour Day/May Day:
“1st of May happens to be the International Labour Day which represents both the contribution and sacrifice made by the working class. I extend to workers all over the country my warmest greetings and best wishes. This day reminds us that if the stakeholders such as workers, employers, Governments and the Civil Society cooperate, we can lay a solid foundation for nation-building.
I take this opportunity to point out that in the recent past the Government of India has undertaken several important measures for improving the working conditions and welfare of the working class. For providing social security measures to unorganized sector workers, an Act, namely the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 has been enacted. A Health Insurance Scheme for the poor titled ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’ (RSBY) has become operational from 01.04.2008. More than 2.34 crore smart cards have been issued so far providing health insurance to about 11.70 crore persons. The scheme has been extended to cover construction workers, street vendors and MGNREGA beneficiaries who have worked for 15 days during the previous year. It is proposed to further extend this scheme to cover beedi workers and unorganized sector workers in hazardous mining and associated industries like slate and slate pencil, dolomite, mica and asbestos etc.
In pursuance of Government’s commitment to eliminate child labour in hazardous areas, the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme has been extended to cover 271 districts. About 7.03 lakh children from special schools of NCLPs have been mainstreamed into the formal education system. Employment of children has been prohibited in two more occupations, namely, ‘Circus’ and ‘Caring of Elephants’. The focus is on creating public awareness and effecting the economic rehabilitation of the families of child labour by covering them under benefits of the schemes of various Ministries / Departments.
Vocational Training with a view to creating a world-class skilled labour force is being given maximum importance. Action has been initiated for the upgradation of ITIs as Centres of Excellence. Under Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme, short-term training courses based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) framework for skill development for the school drop-outs and existing workers especially in the informal sector have been developed.
The National Skill Development Policy has been announced. Action has been initiated for Kaushal Vikas Yojana to set up 1,500 ITIs and 5,000 Skill Development Centres, Skill Development Plan for Youth in 34 Districts affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), supplementing infrastructure deficiencies in ITIs in NE states and Sikkim and modernization of all 969 Employment Exchanges in the country under e-governance plan. A Report to the People on Employment was released on 01.07.2010 to provide a framework to understand the contemporary employment scenario in the country.
A number of amendments have recently been carried out in the central labour laws. Amendments were effected in the Acts namely, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Apprentices Act, 1961, the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The applicability of the Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976 has been extended to 10 more Industries other than pharmaceutical w.e.f. 31.01.2011.
Bills to amend the Mines Act, 1952 and the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act, 1988 have been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 23.03.2011.
Our Ministry lays an emphasis on the occupational safety and health of workers. The National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Work place and the National Policy on HIV / AIDS and the World of Work have been announced. The National Floor Level Minimum Wage has been revised from Rs.100/- per day to Rs.115/- per day w.e.f. 01.04.2011. The computerization plan of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has been implemented with the help of NIC. On the recommendations of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), interest rate on Employees Provident Fund for the year 2010-11 has been increased from 8.5% to 9.5% w.e.f. 01.04.2010.
Several new initiatives have been undertaken by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to improve the quality of delivery of service under ESI Scheme. New geographical areas are being covered to expand the Scheme. An IT Roll Out Plan is being implemented and Medical Education Projects are being taken up.
While reiterating that we would continuously pursue our efforts to promote the welfare of workers, I once again convey my best wishes on this auspicious day.”
“1st of May happens to be the International Labour Day which represents both the contribution and sacrifice made by the working class. I extend to workers all over the country my warmest greetings and best wishes. This day reminds us that if the stakeholders such as workers, employers, Governments and the Civil Society cooperate, we can lay a solid foundation for nation-building.
I take this opportunity to point out that in the recent past the Government of India has undertaken several important measures for improving the working conditions and welfare of the working class. For providing social security measures to unorganized sector workers, an Act, namely the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 has been enacted. A Health Insurance Scheme for the poor titled ‘Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana’ (RSBY) has become operational from 01.04.2008. More than 2.34 crore smart cards have been issued so far providing health insurance to about 11.70 crore persons. The scheme has been extended to cover construction workers, street vendors and MGNREGA beneficiaries who have worked for 15 days during the previous year. It is proposed to further extend this scheme to cover beedi workers and unorganized sector workers in hazardous mining and associated industries like slate and slate pencil, dolomite, mica and asbestos etc.
In pursuance of Government’s commitment to eliminate child labour in hazardous areas, the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme has been extended to cover 271 districts. About 7.03 lakh children from special schools of NCLPs have been mainstreamed into the formal education system. Employment of children has been prohibited in two more occupations, namely, ‘Circus’ and ‘Caring of Elephants’. The focus is on creating public awareness and effecting the economic rehabilitation of the families of child labour by covering them under benefits of the schemes of various Ministries / Departments.
Vocational Training with a view to creating a world-class skilled labour force is being given maximum importance. Action has been initiated for the upgradation of ITIs as Centres of Excellence. Under Skill Development Initiative (SDI) Scheme, short-term training courses based on Modular Employable Skills (MES) framework for skill development for the school drop-outs and existing workers especially in the informal sector have been developed.
The National Skill Development Policy has been announced. Action has been initiated for Kaushal Vikas Yojana to set up 1,500 ITIs and 5,000 Skill Development Centres, Skill Development Plan for Youth in 34 Districts affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE), supplementing infrastructure deficiencies in ITIs in NE states and Sikkim and modernization of all 969 Employment Exchanges in the country under e-governance plan. A Report to the People on Employment was released on 01.07.2010 to provide a framework to understand the contemporary employment scenario in the country.
A number of amendments have recently been carried out in the central labour laws. Amendments were effected in the Acts namely, the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Apprentices Act, 1961, the Workmen’s Compensation Act, 1923, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The applicability of the Sales Promotion Employees (Conditions of Service) Act, 1976 has been extended to 10 more Industries other than pharmaceutical w.e.f. 31.01.2011.
Bills to amend the Mines Act, 1952 and the Labour Laws (Exemption from Furnishing Returns and Maintaining Registers by Certain Establishments) Act, 1988 have been introduced in the Rajya Sabha on 23.03.2011.
Our Ministry lays an emphasis on the occupational safety and health of workers. The National Policy on Safety, Health and Environment at Work place and the National Policy on HIV / AIDS and the World of Work have been announced. The National Floor Level Minimum Wage has been revised from Rs.100/- per day to Rs.115/- per day w.e.f. 01.04.2011. The computerization plan of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) has been implemented with the help of NIC. On the recommendations of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), interest rate on Employees Provident Fund for the year 2010-11 has been increased from 8.5% to 9.5% w.e.f. 01.04.2010.
Several new initiatives have been undertaken by Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to improve the quality of delivery of service under ESI Scheme. New geographical areas are being covered to expand the Scheme. An IT Roll Out Plan is being implemented and Medical Education Projects are being taken up.
While reiterating that we would continuously pursue our efforts to promote the welfare of workers, I once again convey my best wishes on this auspicious day.”
Courtesy : PIB
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