Social Security for Workers in Informal Sector

Social Security for Workers in Informal Sector

In order to provide social security benefits to the workers in the unorganised sector, the Government has enacted the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008. The 2008 Act stipulates formulation of suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers on matters relating to: (i) life and disability cover, (ii) health and maternity benefits, (iii) old age protection. The social security schemes being implemented by various ministries/departments for unorganised workers listed in Schedule I are mentioned below:

i.     Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development);

ii.    National Family Benefit Scheme (Ministry of Rural Development);

iii.   Janani Suraksha Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare);

iv.    Handloom Weavers’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (Ministry of Textiles);

v.     Handicraft Artisans’ Comprehensive Welfare Scheme (Ministry of Textiles);

vi.    Pension to Master Craft Persons (Ministry of Textiles);

vii. National Scheme for Welfare of Fishermen and Training and Extension (Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries);

viii.  Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (Department of Financial Services); and

ix.    Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).

            Further, Central Government has also launched the Atal Pension Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana for all citizens especially targeting unorganised workers to provide them comprehensive social security.

This information was given by Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, the Minister of State (IC) for Labour and Employment, in written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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