News Brief
Government Mulls Minimum Wage, Pension And Other Social Security Benefits For Domestic Workers Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls: Report
Daily wage workers. (Representative Image)
As India gears up for the forthcoming general elections in April-May, the Narendra Modi government is deliberating the extension of social security benefits to millions of domestic workers.
Under consideration are diverse benefits such as a minimum wage, pension, medical insurance, maternity benefits, and provident fund for domestic workers, as reported by Economic Times.
It's important to note that the Social Security Code classifies domestic staff under the 'wage worker' category, implying eligibility for wage-related benefits upon the code's implementation.
This code consolidates existing social security laws, ensuring the continuation of benefits under its comprehensive framework.
With not all states having framed rules under the four drafted labor codes, including the Social Security Code, the centre has emphasised the need for unanimous consent across the nation for a seamless rollout.
The proposed scheme will outline specific benefits, contribution rates, and the distribution between the beneficiary, employer, and government.
The Labour Bureau, operating under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, has conducted an extensive survey on domestic workers nationwide.
The findings will play a pivotal role in determining cost implications, benefits, and contribution structures for the proposed social security measures.
While over 292 million unorganised workers are registered on the Aadhaar-seeded e-Shram portal, the official estimate of domestic workers stands at 4.2 million, with unofficial figures exceeding 50 million, predominantly comprising women.
However, challenges persist, notably the lack of a clear definition of domestic workers under the Social Security Code.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
