Review on Progress of Welfare Measures for Unorganised Labour

The Ministry of Labour & Employment has reviewed the progress of welfare measures taken for unorganised labour, including migrant workers, Building & Other Construction Workers, and Beedi/Cine/Non-Coal Mine workers.

The Secretary of the Ministry, Smt. Sumita Dawra, chaired a meeting with senior officials from the Directorate General Labour Welfare (DGLW) to focus on reviewing welfare measures under existing Central and State schemes. The key objective is to connect unorganised workers with welfare schemes by creating a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)/Manual containing guidelines for different categories of unorganised workers, including coverage of social security benefits such as life insurance, health benefits, pension, housing, education, and other benefits.

The Secretary highlighted the importance of the recently launched BoCW Management Information System (MIS) portal, which aims to ensure welfare of Building & Other Construction Workers. Emphasis was placed on follow-up with States/UTs on the progress of registrations done on the portal and updation of workers' details, including fund utilization of BoCW Cess for access to labour to various central and state welfare schemes.

Priority areas include bringing Beedi/Cine/Non-Coal Mine workers under the health benefits of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), strengthening a coordinated approach with State BoCW Welfare Boards, and integrating BoC workers' data with e-Shram portal. Regular interactions between Welfare Commissioners and State Governments are also planned to expand the outreach of various welfare schemes.

A two-day Capacity Building Program for Labour Welfare Commissioners is being organised from 21st to 22nd October, 2024, at V.V. Giri National Labour Institute, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, where these issues will be discussed in detail and suitable strategies developed.