The Hindu : Social security scheme for unorganised sector launched

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jan 18, 2004

National

National

Social security scheme for unorganised sector launched

By Our Staff Reporter

VENKATACHALASATRAM, (NELLORE DT.) JAN. 1 The Union Labour Minister, Saheb Singh Verma formally launched the national social security scheme for the unorganised sector here today. The launch of the scheme coincided with a three-day free mega `Health Mela'.

According to the Minister, the scheme would help fulfil the commitment of social security to the workers in the unorganised sector. The fully-funded scheme, to be professionally managed by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), would be initially implemented in 50 districts in the country on a pilot basis. It would cover all workers in the unorganised sector drawing pay/wages/income of not more than Rs. 6,500 a month and be financed by the contributions from workers at the rate of Rs. 50 a month in the age group of 18-35 years and Rs. 100 a month in the age group of 36-50 years. The scheme provides triple benefits, which include a registered pension of Rs. 500 per month after retirement at age of 60 years and total disablement and family pension in case of death of the worker, a personal accident insurance cover for Rs. one lakh and convergence of the Universal Health Insurance Scheme for a worker and his family at the cost of Rs. 548 a year for a family of five members or Rs. 365 a year for a family of three members. During hospitalisation of the worker, Rs. 50 a day would be provided to the family towards daily maintenance. The coverage, compliance, registration and benefit delivery of the scheme would be handled by EPFO, using available market intermediaries like workers' facilitation centres, Panchayat Raj institutions, NGOs and self-help groups.

The Andhra Pradesh Minister for Labour and Factories, Babu Mohan, thanked the Central Government for sanctioning Rs. 25 crores for upgrading the facilities in the ESI hospitals in the State and also sanctioning Rs. 10 crores for the purchase of equipment. He claimed that for the first time in the country, yoga was introduced in the State ESI hospitals. With a view to providing the latest medical facilities to the workers, a tie-up with 21 superspeciality hospitals was worked out at a cost of Rs. 11 crores. The BJP president, M. Venkaiah Naidu and a number of officials and non-officials were present.

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