The Hindu Business Line : SEWA welcomes unorganised workers social security Act

Ahmedabad, Dec. 20 Welcoming the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act that was recently passed by Parliament, Self Employed Women’s Association expects it to provide security to 40 crore unorganised workers across India.

The Act was earlier passed by Rajya Sabha and after several recommendations and corrections, has finally been approved by Parliament. According to the Act, the unorganised workers will no longer remain faceless, but receive identity cards which will guarantee their social security.

“The identity card will act like a smart card. It will ensure old age pension, health insurance, maternity benefits and life insurance to the holders. And since it will be digitised, the holder will be able to use it at various places, like hospitals etc,” said Mrs Renana Jhabvala, National Co-ordinator, SEWA.

However, the amount of money, the way to dispense it and how to dispense it is yet to be decided. The Act is the last spoke in the wheel and yet the first one for implementation, said Mrs Jhabvala.

Fingers crossed

As the public is aware that discrepancies often creep into governmental schemes, as has been seen in the past with NREGA and other initiatives, there is some apprehension but we are hopeful of its positive impacts, said Ms Manali Shah, SEWA.

SEWA intends working at the ground level to urge implementation of the Act and wants the Act to be more decentralised. “Currently, it has to pass from the Centre to the State to the District to the panchayat level. Once it is decentralised, it will offer more scope and speedy implementation,” said Mrs Jhabvala.

According to her, even if one-fourth, or 10 crore, unorganised workers are benefited by it in the next five years, it would be a big achievement for the government. The Act should also not be limited to persons included in Below Poverty Line but should include others as well based on the criteria laid down to provide benefits to the maximum number of needy.

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