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Labour meet proposes social security schemes for workers

No consecsus as yet on social security code
Even though the Indian Labour Conference ( ILC) could not build a consensus on forming a labour code on social security schemes, it recommended aslew of measures to broaden their coverage.
The two- day conference, atri- partite platform of trade unions, industry and the government, concluded here on Tuesday with a series of recommendations.
It recommended that Employees’ State Insurance Corporation ( ESIC) coverage be expanded to include the unorganised workers by reducing the threshold of coverage. At present, firms with 10 workers are covered under this law and the Union labour ministry will reduce this threshold limit. On- site construction workers will soon become a part of the ESIC Act.
At present, construction workers directly hired by a factory, those who work on the premises of a factory, and technical workers such as engineers get health benefits from ESIC. However, workers hired through agencies or those working on a construction site are not covered.
Besides, a medical scheme for Employees’ Provident Fund ( EPF) pensioners has been recommended. The ILC also recommended along- pending demand of the trade unions to link the EPF pension with inflation.
“EPF pension should be enhanced and linked with price index,” said the recommendation.
However, the labour code on social security might be delayed. The Union labour ministry is in the process of clubbing 44 labour laws into five codes – a move opposed by the trade unions.
Business Standard, New Delhi, 22nd July 2015

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