Delhi govt moves to fast-track social security cover for gig and construction workers

New Delhi, Jan 16 (IANS): Delhi Labour Minister Kapil Mishra on Friday ordered early action to bring unorganised sector workers, gig and platform workers, and construction workers under the ambit of social security, in line with the Central Government rules.

On Friday, the Labour Minister chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparedness related to the publication and notification of rules framed under the Code on Social Security, 2020, aimed at extending various welfare benefits to these workers, said an official statement.

The Code on Social Security provides for the constitution of Welfare Boards for unorganised and construction workers and for the formulation of welfare schemes for them.

During the meeting, the Cabinet Minister was briefed on the preparedness related to the publication and notification of rules framed under all four Labour Codes, including the Code on Social Security, 2020. The meeting was attended by the Labour Commissioner and other senior officers of the department.

The Labour Minister directed that it be ensured that the benefits of schemes reach unorganised workers, gig and platform workers, and construction workers swiftly and transparently.

Mishra stated that the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, has consolidated 29 existing labour laws into four Labour Codes — the Code on Wages, the Code on Industrial Relations, the Code on Social Security, and the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions, the statement said.

The objective of these Labour Codes is to protect workers’ rights, promote Ease of Doing Business, and expand social security coverage.

Under the Code on Social Security, 2020, unorganised workers and gig/platform workers have been included to extend various social security benefits to them.

Similarly, construction workers who were earlier covered under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996, have now been brought under the ambit of the Code on Social Security, 2020.

Mishra directed that the rules pre-published by the Central Government be studied in detail and, wherever necessary, Delhi’s rules be aligned with the Central rules to maintain uniformity across the country and to avoid any inconvenience to workers.

The Labour Minister instructed officials to finalise all rules at the earliest so that maximum benefits under all four Labour Codes can be made available to workers in Delhi in a timely manner.

He emphasised that the welfare and interests of workers are the highest priority of the Delhi Government and that no delay in this regard will be tolerated.

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This report was published from a syndicated wire feed. Apart from the headline, the EdexLive Desk has not edited the copy.