SOCIAL PROTECTION OF THE WORKERS IN THE UNORGANIZED SECTOR

PRESENTED BY:

TUSHTI GILL(09114803912) SHWETA (06814803912) MBA 3rd sem

The Context
In India, of late, social security to unorganised sector workers assumed unprecedented prominence
Designing of new and more effective social safety measures Introduction of innovative methods - for identification and enrolment Designing of efficient delivery mechanisms Emphasis on cost-effective and targeted interventions Efforts towards a comprehensive legislation Creation of other enabling frameworks Emphasis on participation of other stakeholders and Beneficiaries.

Determinants

Growth of unorganised sector and shrinking organised sector employment Decline in long-term social security provisions-the growing fiscal deficit scenario of governments Inadequacy of existing legal and protective frames

New initiatives & Alternative Approaches

Food Security Initiatives Social Insurance and Pension Measures Legislative Interventions and Initiatives on Social Security

Food Security Initiatives

Mid Day Meals Scheme (MDMS), 1995 Community Grain Bank Scheme, 1996 Targeted PDS, 1997 Annapurna Scheme, 2000 Antyodaya Anna Scheme, 2000

Social Insurance and Pension Measures

Janshree Bima Yojana, 2000 Krishi Samajik Suraksha Yojana, 2001 Varishta Pension Bima, 2003 Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Scheme, 2004

Universal Health Insurance Scheme, 2004

Legislative Interventions & Initiatives on Social Security

Second National Commission on Labour, 1999-2002 National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) Act, 2005 The Right to Information (RTI)Act, 2005 NCEUS Report on Social Security, 2006

Mid Day Meals Scheme

Under this program cooked midday meals are provided to all children attending classes I to VIII in government, local body , government aided and National Child Labor projects. Adequate quantity of micro-nutrients like iron folic acid and Vitamin A are recommended This facility is availed to crores of students. During the year 2010-2011 the budget allocation for the program was Rs. 9440 crores

Targeted PDS

The public distribution system (PDS) seeks to ensure food security at the household level. The central government has assumed responsibility for procurement and supply of essential commodities. The total amount of food subsidy incurred during the year 2010-11 was 62,930 crores Government of India has recently introduced Food security bill in Parliament.

Janshree Bima Yojana

The scheme provides insurance to rural and urban persons living below the poverty line. Its benefits are similar to those provided in Aam Admi Bima Yojana. Persons between ages of 18 and 59 years , who are members of the 45 identified occupational groups are eligible for participation.

Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Scheme

The Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Act was enacted in 2008 It covers matters relating to life and disability , health and maternity benefits , old age protection and other benefits maybe determined The state government further adds more benefits to the list

National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) Act, 2005

A Recent Major Initiative in Promotional Security Follow-up in line with the Common Minimum Programme of the Government A right based programme - the state is obliged to provide employment on demand or compensation

Guarantees employment (of up to 100 days) to all rural households, on demand.

Right to Information Act, 2005

An enabling act that provides right to get information, which can improve efficiency of welfare programmes.

Encouraging initial responses

Useful tool to ensure proper implementation of social security measures and schemes such as NREGA

Second NCL: Major Concerns and Recommendations

Engaged special study group on social security Provided outline for an umbrella legislation

Recommendations
Unemployment insurance scheme and national scheme for unemployment relief Expansion of coverage of welfare funds National widow pension scheme Comprehensive plan for social protection of disabled

NCEUS Report on Social Security

A Major Recent Initiative in Protective Security NCEUS makes out a case for national minimum social security for all workers in the informal economy to be covered in a phased manner over a period of 5 years. The most important issues addressed by the NCEUS is those based on Adversity and thus protective in nature. Concerns are thus: cover for ill-health, accidents/death and old age

NCEUS: Social Security Benefits

Health Insurance (Sickness cover for family; Maternity benefit cover; Accidental death/Permanent disability; Disability allowance during hospitalization up to 15 days)

Life Insurance
Old Age Security Old age pension for Below Poverty Line (BPL) workers

Provident Fund for Above Poverty Line (APL) workers

NCEUS: Contribution
APL workers Re.1 a day or Rs.365 per annum

Government of India

Re.1.50 per day or Rs.547.50 per annum

State Government

Re.0.50 per day or Rs.182.50

BPL workers

No contribution

Government of India

Re.1.21 per day or Rs.442 per annum

State Government

Re.0.24 per day or Rs.88 per annum

Criticism of the system

1.

The percentage of the people below the poverty line has come down the hard core of poverty remains intact , at about 300 million. 2. Abolition of hunger should be the primary objectives of the 12th plan. 3. The social protection schemes designed to protect the children against malnutrition do not seem to have been effective.

Conclusion

On the whole, there is an increased recognition of social security concerns of informal sector labor in India, which is evident from:
Designing and implementation of right-based social security systems Introduction of enabling governance structures Involvement of other stakeholders and social partners, including the beneficiaries

THANK YOU..