Shah assured BMS that ESI and EPF not to be affected by change in labour laws
New Delhi: Amid speculation in the proposed changes in the labour law, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership is taking the view of the affiliate organisations of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) so that they are able to understand the situation and discuss the matter where there is any problem and that needs to be shorted out. In one such meeting of leaders of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh an affiliate organisation of the RSS met with national BJP president Amit Shah, the BJP president assured that Employees State Insurance (ESI) and Employees Provident Funds (EPF) schemes will not be disturbed at any cost in the new Labour Code on Social Security, 2018.
BMS President Saji Narayanan C K and organising secretary B Surendra had a meeting with Amit Shah. BMS appreciated and welcomed extension of social security network to the unorganised sector workers. The new Social Security code is historic and revolutionary since it gives about 14 benefits to the 43 crore unorganized workers; but the BMS leaders raised concerns that it is contaminated with many anti-worker provisions.
The BMS leaders raised their apprehension about dismantling ESI and EPF schemes, merging it with the new Social Security Scheme and dividing its lakhs of crores of funds to State Social Security boards. This is feared to result in cross subsidisation, meaning the entire funds will be depleted for the benefit of unorganised workers who may not be paying any contribution. Both are some of the largest Social Security Schemes in the world and doing good service to organised sector workers.
The BMS leaders appraised Amit Shah about the strike of nearly three lakh
GDS (previously ED) employees continuing for many days. Postal GDS
employees who are the backbone of postal service in the rural and semi
urban areas are demanding regularization, implementation of Kamlesh
Chandra Committee report among others. Shah said that he would talk to the concerned persons and find some way out. The BMS leaders appraised him about the burning issues of Scheme workers like Aanganwadi, Asha etc. Amit Shah assured that the government would work on settling the issues and increasing the wages of scheme workers. He said that the government would immediately call a meeting of scheme workers in this regard. The BMS leaders also discussed about anti workers reforms which has created resentment among workers. Regarding labour reforms, he said any changes in labour laws and reforms will be done only after proper consultation with Trade Unions. Amit Shah said that there would be special efforts to strengthen tripartite mechanism to settle labour issues. For the purpose a Ministerial group also will be formed.