AN UMBRELLA LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE
LABOUR PROTECTION, MEDICAL CARE, OLD AGE PENSION AND INSURANCE
COVER TO THE WORKERS IN THE UNORGANISED SECTOR IS ON THE ANVIL-
PM
PM’S EMPLOYMENT
PROGRAMMES, QUADRILATERAL ROAD LINK NETWORK, RIVERS LINK PROJECT
WILL GENERATE EMPLOYMENT IN THE UNORGANISED SECTOR – DR. SAHIB
SINGH
39th SESSION OF THE INDIAN LABOUR
CONFERENCE TO DISCUSS REPORT OF THE SECOND NATIONAL COMMISSION
ON LABOUR, S.P GUPTA REPORT ON EMPLOYMENT GENERATION AND SOCIAL
SECURITY ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE EPF AND ESIC
Prime Minister
Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee while inaugurating the 39th
Indian Labour Conference has said that the Government is fully
aware that providing basic social security to the workers in the
unorganized sector continues to be the biggest challenge before
it. He said that the Central and some State Governments have set
up welfare funds for different categories of occupations. The
recently announced Universal Health Scheme and Varishtha Pension
Bima Yojana cover the workers in the unorganized sector as well.
An umbrella legislation to provide labour protection, medical
care, old age pension and insurance cover to the workers in the
unorganized sector is also on the anvil. He also urged the workers
organizations to make these segments of our workforce a major
focus of their activity.
Shri Vajpayee said
that it is an occasion to revisit some of the issues that have
figured prominently in the debate on economic reforms in recent
years. He added, that ‘I have come to the conclusion that India
has suffered much because of the three types of beliefs. First,
the belief that held that private enterprise is only for maximizing
wealth for the employers. Second, the belief that held that there
is a fundamental contradiction between the class of employers
and the class of employees. Thirdly, there was the belief among
some in the government – and that belief is still there to some
extent – that their job is to control everything, and not to facilitate
investment and growth. We have to change this mindset, we should
replace it with a single overriding belief – namely, that faster
growth in all sectors of the economy, and in all regions of our
vast country, is critical for faster eradication of poverty.’
Union Labour
Minister Dr Sahib Singh in his address said that employment generation
is our first priority and with all-round development in the economic
front, PM’s programme for employment generation, quadrilateral
road link project and river linking project will generate enormous
employment in the country. We hope to fulfill the commitment of
one crore employment in the country every year. . Dr. Sahib Singh
said the skill development of the workforce is also an essential
input not only to increase employability but also to increase
the productivity and income level of the workers. Therefore, we
have made special efforts to further expand and reorient the vocational
training facilities . We have taken up the ambitious plan to set
up 1000 IITs. He said that he has raised the issue of setting
up and International Skill Development Fund in the last session
of the International Labour Conference at Geneva. Labour Minister
also informed the conference that all out efforts are being made
to provide social security to the workers through EPFO and ESIC.
Recently, we have taken up a new project to construct one lakh
houses for EPF subscribers. This will be a new dimension to social
security to the workers. Dr. Sahib Singh allayed fears on contract
labour Act saying that this will not be amended at the cost of
social security measures. He said in fact social security measures
will be strengthened even in case of fix term employment. The
Minister informed the Conference about the expansion of the National
Child Labour Programme and said that the NCLP has been extended
to 150 new districts in addition to existing 100 ones and an allocation
of over 600 crores has been provided in the Tenth Plan for this
purpose.
The Labour Secretary
Dr. P.D Shenoy delivered the welcome speech and said that the
Indian Labour Conference is considered the Labour Parliament of
India. He also outlined the proposed agenda of the conference.
He said that as the focus of economic activities has shifted from
organized to unorganized sector, the Conference is primarily going
to discuss issues relating to them as arisen out of the recommendations
of the Second National Labour Commission.
The Confrence
was also addressed by workers’ representative Shri HashuBhai Dave
and employers’ representative Shri C.P Jain. Shri Dave in his
speech referred to the problems faced by the unorganized workers
namely in realm of social security measures, right to strike,
disinvestments and rising unemployment. He felt that there is
a need to focus on the development of small scale industries.
The employers
representative Shri C.P Jain emphasized the need of Government
employers participation for all round development. He also highlighted
the contribution being made by Public Sector Undertakings in the
economic development of the Nation.
Shri K.C Pant,
Deputy Chairman Planning Commission also attended the Inaugural
function. The Conference is being attended by large number of
State Labour Ministers, Workers’ representatives, employers’ representatives,
senior labour officials from State Governments, official from
Labour Ministry, representatives from several Central Ministries
and International Organisations. Shri Baleshwar Rai, Additional
Secretary proposed the vote of thanks.
