Govt says 'actively considering' social security scheme

New Delhi, Nov 10 (UNI) The government today said it was ''actively considering'' a comprehensive National Minimum Social Security Scheme for about 300 million unorganised workers in the country.

The scheme had been recommended by the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector headed by economist Arjun Sengupta in the draft 'Unorganised Workers' Bill' submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in May.

''The scheme is being actively considered by the government,'' the Labour Ministry said in a statement.

The scheme involves social security to all workers in the unorganised sector as well as to those without any social security in the organised sector.

The social security benefits include medical insurance, maternity benefits and life and accident insurance for the workers besides a monthly pension for the workers in their old age.

''In a developing country such as India, social security arrangements for the working poor have wider ramifications for the economy and society,'' the Labour Ministry said.

The Sengupta Commission says the scheme could be implemented at a cost of Rs 7,637 crore in the first year while the costs would rise to Rs 25,401 crore in the fifth year when the coverage is extended to the 300 million workers in the unorganised sector.

A comprehensive law for unorganised workers is a promise made by the UPA government in its National Common Minimum Programme. The Sengupta Commission was set up in September 2004 to act as a watchdog for the unorganised sector.

The term of the Commission, which had been earlier fixed at one year, had been subsequently extended to three years.

UNI FZ SHB VV1735