‘48 lakh workers brought under organised sector’
JALANDHAR: Union minister of state (independent charge) for labour and employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar said here on Friday that 48 lakh unorganised labourers have been brought under the organised sector and by next year their number would increase to at least 1 crore.
Gangwar was speaking at the inaugural function of the newly constructed building of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) here.
Minister of state for social justice and empowerment Vijay Sampla and Rajya Sabha member and state BJP president Shwait Malik and Lok Sabha member Santokh Singh Chaudhary were also present.
The Union minister said the government is going to convert 42 labour laws into four labour codes to ensure minimum wages and social security to the labourers, create a suitable working atmosphere and strengthen employer and employee relationship.
“At present, the number of labourers in the unorganised sector in the country is 40 crore and the Prime Minister is worried about their social security. The PM has asked the ministry of labour and employment to work towards ensuring their security by including under the EPF scheme,” said Gangwar.
The minister set aside the notion that fixed-term employment will reduce the number of permanent jobs in the government sector.
“The EPFO is trying its best to ensure the well-being of its subscribers. With the introduction of Universal Account Number (UAN), if an employee changes his employer or organisation, he need not be worried about his provident fund as it will automatically be connected with his new employer with the held of PAN. Labourers and employees are also taking the benefit of the insurance schemes launched by the government to provide them health and life cover for a very small amount,” said the minister
“The central government has also decided to bear 12% employer’s share towards the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for new employees under the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojna and this will continue till March next year,” he added
Regarding grievances of employees and pensioners, Gangwar said the EPFO has worked out a plan to resolve them in a week at the maximum.