Health insurance for labourers by April 1: Fernandes

Kochi, Jan 6 (UNI) Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes today said the Centre would implement the health insurance for people working in the unorganised sector by April 1.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the State General Council of the Builders&Road Workers' Federation here, Mr Fernandes said, ''a Bill to provide social security to labourers in the unorganised sector had been introduced and the standing committee had given certain recommendations on it.'' ''Irrespective of the outcome of the Bill, whether it was passed or not, the Centre would implement the provisions of the Bill on health insurance by April 1,'' the minister added.

Mr Fernandes said as per the insurance plan, without any contribution from the labourers, an insurance cover of Rs 30,000 would be given to a family of five members.

According to the ''Aam Admi Bhima Yojana,'' which was launched on November 19 last year, an amount was assured for relatives of those who died a natural death or in an accident and labourers incapacitated due to an accident.

The Minister further said as per the pension scheme, the Centre would give Rs 200 to people below the poverty line, apart from the state contribution of Rs 200 or 300.

''The Congress-led UPA government was committed to provide social security to workers in the unorganised sector and give the benefits of the country's economic growth to the poor,'' he noted.

He added the 'Building&other Construction Worker's Welfare Act' of Kerala, would be projected as a model Act for other states to emulate.

UNI MA ROY PY RK1720