Labour Ministers and Secretaries held a two-day Chintan Shivir to discuss social security coverage for workers.
Three inter-state committees were formed, each comprising five States, to draft a sustainable model.
The committees will submit their reports by March.
Core Focus: Social Security and Labour Codes:
Comprehensive Social Security: The primary objective of the Chintan Shivir was to develop a sustainable model for extending comprehensive social security coverage to all workers, including those in the unorganized sector.
Implementation of Labour Codes: The meeting extensively discussed the implementation of the four new Labour Codes. These codes aim to simplify and consolidate existing labor laws.
Shift to Facilitator Model: A key reform discussed was the transition from labor inspectors to labor inspector-cum-facilitators.
This shift aims to reduce the compliance burden on businesses while ensuring worker welfare and promoting better employer-employee relations.
Key Decisions and Initiatives:
Formation of Committees: Three committees, each comprising representatives from five states, were formed to develop a sustainable social security model.
These committees will submit their reports in March.
Consultative Process: The Chintan Shivir was the culmination of a year-long consultative process involving regional workshops and consultations with all states and union territories.
This emphasizes the government's approach to collaborative policy making.
Focus on Construction Workers: The meeting specifically addressed the welfare of construction workers, highlighting the issue of unutilized cess funds collected for their welfare.
The Minister stressed the need for sustainable social security models for this vulnerable group.
Gig and Platform Workers: The Ministry announced the development of a dedicated Social Security and Welfare Scheme for gig and platform workers, recognizing the growing importance of this segment of the workforce.
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