New scheme of Ministry of Labour'The Unorganised Sector Wor kers' Social Security Scheme'

On 11 December 2009 16:49, tiwari <tiwari@cec-india.org> wrote:

SOCIAL SECURITY NOW

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Subject: New scheme of Ministry of Labour

Dear colleagues

I am attaching herewith a new scheme of ministry of labour 'The Unorganised Sector Workers' Social Security Scheme'. The scheme has not come into force. It is a draft scheme only and displayed on the web-site of ministry of labour.http://labour.nic.in/ss/socialsecurityunorganised.pdf

This scheme is not framed under the 'Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008' and it will be administered by the Employees Provident Fund Organization. Subject to the provisions of Section 1{3)} (a) & (b) of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, this Scheme shall apply to all the workers and establishments in the activities listed in the schedule to the Act. Self employed workers are also covered.

It provides for registration, issuing permanent social security number the NSSN ("NSSN" means National Social Security Number to be given by the Employees provident Fund Organization to Uniquely identify the members)

The scheme provides contributory benefits of pension family pension, death benefits, insurance based medical care and workmen compensation in the event of accident.

The scheme appears good but it provides meager amount of pension; only Rs.500/ per month, rupees one lakh compensation on accident death. Besides it is will be initially implemented in 50 districts and gradually extended to other parts of the country.

We however welcome this initiative of the government.

The SSN-national working group members on July 30, 2009 met Hon'ble Labour Minister for State, Mr Harish Rawat, briefly explained lacunae in the existing Act and submitted a Memorandum. The Minister Mr Harish Rawat called us again on July 31, 2009 for a meeting. The delegation again met the Minister and discussed with him those clauses of the act which are unacceptable.

The Minister Mr Harish Rawat assured us that despite various constraints he will improve existing situation. This move of government in declaring this scheme appears to be an attempt to recognize SSN concerns though partially.

Dr RS Tiwari

For SSN