“The Minister
of State(Independent Charge) for Labour & Employment Shri Bandaru Dattaraya
greets the workers on the occasion of International Labour Day.
“WITHOUT
LABOUR NOTHING PROSPERS”
“Greetings
and best wishes to all of my worker folks on this Labour Day. The mantra of “Shramev
Jayate” guides us in our endeavors towards creating an equitable labour market
to provide best opportunities to every worker in the country.
“On this occasion, I would share few Key initiatives and achievements
in the last one year in the Ministry of Labour & Employment, aimed at providing
quality employment to our workforce with appropriate Social Security to safe
guard their and uplift from the present level of poverty and vulnerability.
“Amidst the ongoing global slowdown,
India is the fastest growing nation. We are also endowed with the largest young
workforce. Employment Creation is therefore central to our growth and
development strategy. My Ministry is committed to Employment Generation by facilitating
ease of doing business including that for startups and MSMEs. Ensuring job
security, wage security and social security for workers is our topmost
priority. We are working for bringing transparency and accountability in enforcement of
Labour Laws. The Ministry is working to simplfy, consolidate and rationalize
the provisions of the 43 labour laws in 4 Labour Codes viz. Labour Code on Wages;
Industrial Relations; Social Security & Welfare and Safety & Working Conditions. Also the Shram Suvidha
Portal launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2014 is gearing for a greater
momentum in common Electronic Challan cum Return (ECR) facility for EPFO and
ESIC; common Registration under 5 Central Labour Acts by integrating with
DIPP’s E-Biz Portal; filing of Single Online Return for 8 Labour Acts and facility
of return submission under Mines Act for DGMS. We are confident that ease in
compliance will translate into more and better compliance.
“Under the dynamic leadership
of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra , our Government is committed to provide
social security cover to all the citizen of India. Ministry of Labour and Employment has taken determined
steps to expand the coverage of social security for organized worker and extend
the same to hitherto uncovered unorganized workers. Comprehensive Governance
reforms based on extensive use of informal technology have been undertaken in
EPFO to provide 24x7 online delivery of services. EPFO around 1 lakh
establishments have registered in OLRE Portal. EPFO has allotted around 6.57 crore UAN to its members and
around 2.49 crore of these members have activated using their Mobile number and
have been benefitting from various related services. EPFO moved from
e-governance to m-governance and launched a mobile application. So far over
8.77 lakhs members have downloaded the Mobile App. The exempted establishments are a big
part of the EPFO compliance system and managing huge funds to the tune of
approximately 3 lacs crores. “Hon’ble
Prime Minister while launching UAN in October, 2014 had assured to help the
members to get back their money lying in “inoperative accounts” so that the
hard earned savings of the poor workers reaches them back. EPFO created an
online help desk to assist EPF members and so far over 65 thousand cases have
been provided help by this helpdesk. Social Security facility is extended to
International Workers through online
fillable form seeking certificate of coverage (COC).
“Providing a minimum pension of Rs.
1000/- per month is an effort to provide meaningful subsistence to pensioners
who have served in the organized sector. The present proposal is likely
to benefit approximately 20 lakh pensioners under EPS, 1995.
“The major
break-through in ESIC is the 2nd Generation Health Reforms Agenda
(ESIC 2.0), aimed at providing better health services, launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India on
20.07.2015, includes Online availability of Electronic Health Record of
ESI Beneficiaries (Insured Persons and their family members), ensuring the
change of bedsheet according to VIBGYOR pattern during the week i.e. to be
changed every day (Abhiyan Indradhanush), Medical Helpline No. 1800 11
3839 for emergency and seeking guidance from casualty/emergency of ESIC
Hospitals and Special OPD for Sr. Citizens and differently-abled persons
in ESIC hospitals. Further ESIC has extended
the social security benefits of ESI Scheme in Mizoram w.e.f. 1.12.2015 and in
Port Blair w.e.f. 01.01.2016, and will be extended to the other remaining North
East States., ESI Scheme is being implemented in industrial/commercial clusters
within districts. We are opening Health Scheme for selected group of
unorganized workers like rickshaw pullers/auto rickshaw drivers in selected
urban/metropolitan areas, on pilot basis. Construction
site Workers in the implemented area, has been covered to avail benefits
under the ESI Scheme w.e.f. 1st August, 2015.
“My Ministry
is also implementing National Career Service (NCS) Project for
transforming and strengthening the public employment services in the country
with an aim to bring job seekers, employers and training providers on a common
platform with efficient use of information technology. The NCS Portal provides a platform for
partnering of institutions and organisations for delivery of career and
employment related services so that more and more employment opportunities are
made available to our youth and workforce. Central Ministries, State
Governments and industry organisations have also been involved in making the NCS
Portal (www.ncs.gov.in) a vibrant platform. The NCS makes available a rich repository of career content
on over 3000 occupations across 52 sectors. A dedicated helpdesk
(multi-lingual) is available from Tuesday to Sunday on 1800-425-1514 for
assisting users. Around 3.6 crore job seekers are registered on the NCS Portal
and over 9 lakh establishments registered with EPFO/ESIC are also on the NCS
Portal. My Government will be e-linking the employment exchanges and facilitate
job fairs at the district level to enhance the availability and accessibility
of employment opportunities to the teeming youth. We call on the industry to make use of this dynamic
platform in sourcing their need for skilled human resources by posting their
jobs – free of charge.
“The
Government is also operationalising 100 Model Career Centres in collaboration
with States and Institutions for providing a host of employment and career
related opportunities.
“A new
Scheme “Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana” has been initiated by the
Ministry of Labour and Employment in the year 2016-17 for incentivising
industry for promoting employment generation with the allocation of Rs. 1000
crores. Under the scheme employers would be provided an incentive to enhance
employment by reimbursing their 8.33% EPS contribution made to new employees who
have worked for 240 days continuously during the year.
“The Payment
of Bonus (Amendment) Act, 2015 envisages enhancement of eligibility limit from
Rs.10,000/- per month to Rs.21,000/- per month and Calculation Ceiling from Rs. 3500 to
Rs.7000. These changes in the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965 will benefit thousands
of work force and in the 125th birth anniversary year of Bharat
Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar would be a befitting tribute to him, who always worked
for the labour force from the core of his heart.
“As a
founding member of ILO, India is committed to principle of tripartism . Ministry has put best effort to reach to
a consensus on all issues and many tripartite meetings and discussions have
been held before taking decisions on variety of issues. The Indian Labour
Conference is the highest tripartite consultative body at national level. The 46th
session of the Indian Labour Conference, on 20th-21st
July,2015, which was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister.
“My Ministry
is committed to the vision of inclusive growth. As we celebrate 125th
Birth Anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar this year, we reiterate our commitment
to his vision of labour welfare and empowerment and commit ourselves to make
his vision a reality.
“God
give me work, till my life shall end And life, till my work is done”.
I once again wish all on this
International Labour Day.”
***
AT