Report released on unprganised workers

New Delhi, July 9 (UNI) A first of its kind report on unorganised workers, covering both agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, has recommended an eight-hour working day with at least half-hour break and a statutory national minimum wage for all wage workers and home workers.

The landmark report also calls for penal interest on delayed payment of wages, no deduction of wages in the form of fines and, more importantly, right to organise for unorganised workers.

The recommendations are part of the two Draft Bills on conditions of work and social security for unorganized workers.

The report on ''Comprehensive Legislation for Protection of Unorganised Workers'' was released by the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

NCEUS, headed by Dr Arjun Sengupta, MP, had presented two draft bills -- along with an explanatory report -- on Conditions of Work and Social Security for Unorganised Workers to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.

On a minimum social security for all unorganised workers, the bills mandate the central government to formulate and notify a National Security Scheme for the agricultural and non-agricultural workers.

The total outlay of the scheme proposed to cover all agricultural workers is estimated at Rs 19,400 crores. Outlay for non-agricultural workers is estimated at Rs 12,950 crores.

The NCEUS report is a curtain raiser to the comprehensive landmark report on India's working poor to be presented to the Prime Minister and publicly released before the end of this month.

This report is being touted as the first of its kind in the country on the unorganised workers.

The bills prescribe minimum conditions of work and introduction of a minimum social security for both agricultural and non-agricultural unorganized workers.

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