Insurance Cover to Unorganised Labourers

Insurance Cover to Unorganised Labourers

According to the survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) during 2011-12, the total employment in both organised and unorganised sector in the country was 47 crores. Out of this, about 8 crores were in the organised sector and the balance 39 crores in the unorganised sector.

The Government has enacted ‘Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008’ for the welfare of unorganised workers. The Act provides for formulation of suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers on matters relating to: (i) life and disability cover, (ii) health and maternity benefits, (iii) old age protection and (iv) any other benefit as may be determined by the Central Government through the National Social Security Board. The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) implemented by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is a health insurance scheme which provides health and maternity benefits to the unorganized workers, listed in the Schedule I of the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008. This scheme covers BPL and11other defined categories namely Building & Other Construction Workers, licensed Railway porters, Street Vendors, MGNREGA workers (who have worked for more than fifteen days during preceding financial year), Beedi workers, Domestic workers, Sanitation Workers, Mine Workers, Rickshaw pullers, Rag pickers and Auto/Taxi drivers. Beneficiaries enrolled under RSBY are entitled for health insurance coverage of Rs. 30,000/- per annum to families (a unit of five) on floater basis. Number of families covered under RSBY for Financial Year2014-15 are 3,59,28,048. For insurance against death and disability, Department of Financial Services implements schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). Ministry of Labour and Employment implements Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) which covers death and disability along with a scholarship component for 2 children studying in class 9th to 12th standard. The total number of beneficiaries in AABY for 2014-15 is 43208152.

This information was given by Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Minister of State (IC) for Ministry Labour and Employment, in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.