Centre to provide social security net to workers in unorganised sector

The Centre is planning to come out with a pan-India drive to enrol workers in the unorganised sector aimed at providing a social security net.

The move extends to crores of workers spread across the country, including the remotest parts, smart card Identity cards. This card named ‘You Win’ will provide facilities such as cash, hospital and pension benefits, said Bandaru Dattatreya, Union Labour Minister. Addressing a press conference here today, he said this move requires support of the State Governments for its effective implementation. Thus far 12 States have given their consent and efforts are underway to convince other States to take up this initiative. The campaign is likely to be launched within a couple of months by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said about ₹27,000 crore is lying unclaimed in the PF account and efforts would be made to see that the rightful claimant gets the benefit, he said. Referring to workers in sectors such as beedi leaf collection and making and weavers, he said the Labour Ministry with the participation of State Governments is trying to cover them under various schemes to provide them with health cover and scholarships for their children.

On the Social Security Agreements for Employment Provident Fund, the Minister said India has so far signed agreements with 13 countries covering about 31,000 families living abroad.

He said that though India does not have a SSA with the US, it accounts for highest number of Indians working in the US. As per Nasscom estimate about 2,00,000 Indians are working in the US in the Indian companies present there for deductions of more than $2-3 billion.

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