Experts suggest involvement of the Social Welfare Department to create awareness and look into the issues faced by unorganized workers.
Unorganized workers lack social security even after implementation of schemes and laws meant for the betterment of the unorganised sector. Sometimes the unorganized workers are asked to work extra hours and paid less. They lack awareness and face difficulties in applying for any insurance schemes available to them.
Jayamma, who works in the silk reeling industry in Ramanagara, said that sometimes they work three shifts in the reeling units. She said that she is not aware of any health insurance schemes and doesn’t know whom to approach for availing the schemes.
Umesh, Assistant Director of Sericulture in Ramanagara, said that even if the government officials try speaking with the workers, the latter are not ready to speak fearing that they might lose their job. He said, “We are always ready to help them if we get to know any of their problems.”
The government introduced the Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 for the welfare of unorganized workers. This act covers welfare schemes like health benefits for unorganized workers.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY) was introduced to provide social security to workers in the unorganised sector. The press release by the Ministry of Finance mentions that in 2023 around five crore individuals subscribed for the scheme.
The press release by the Ministry of Labour and Employment states that according to the Economic Survey 2021-22, the number of people working in the unorganized sector in India was around 43.99 crores in 2019-20.
Additional Labour Commissioner from Labour Department said that they can’t help those who are unaware. He said that they create awareness about the schemes through notices and ads in newspapers.
Rajashree, a lawyer suggests that the Department of Social Welfare also needs to look into the issues faced by the unorganized workers and undertake awareness drives about the schemes.
