LABOUR
MINISTER ADVOCATES SINGLE SOCIAL SECURITY LEGISLATION FOR UNORGANISED
WORKERS
The Labour Minister
Dr. Sahib Singh has said that at least 50 labour laws would be
amended as there is a need for change. Addressing a Press Conference
here today, Dr. Sahib Singh advocated a single legislation which
could incorporate welfare and security for workers in the unorganised
sector. He said that multiplicity of laws and schemes hinder their
effective implementation. Dr. Sahib Singh said that devising an
umbrella legislation for unorganised sector would be discussed
at a two day National Seminar on Unorganised Sector on 7th
and 8th of this month. The other two issues of the
Seminar would be provision of Social Security in the unorganised
sector and skill upgradation. Representatives of Trade Unions,
Employers, Central and State Governments, NGOs and Academicians
and Experts would participate in the Seminar.
The Labour Minister
said that one of the ways to tackle the issue of social security
in the unorganised sector could be by expanding and strengthening
the existing institutional mechanism of Employees Provident Fund
and Employees State Insurance. He said that many of the occupations
that are not covered under organised sector should be brought
within its ambit. On skill upgradation, Dr. Sahib Singh said that
it is paramount for increasing the productivity in the unorganised
sector and also sustain their employability. It would also help
workers to shift from the unorganised to the organised sector.
Answering a question on the identification of workers in the unorganised
sector for purposes of social security, the Minister said that
they would be reached through associations and we have already
talked to some of them. On EPF interest rate Dr. Sahib Singh said
that the Labour Ministry has no problem in giving 9.5% rate to
EPF subscribers on their deposits at present.
