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The Labour Ministry is redrafting the Unorganised Sector Workers Bill, 2004 in consultation with central ministries, state governments and trade unions. The Social Security Scheme launched in 2004 for unorganised workers is also being reviewed with a view to ensure effective involvement of all social partners. This was revealed during the meeting of the Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Sis Ram Ola with senior officers here today to review implementation of the NCMP concerning the Labour Ministry and its overall performance during the past 100 days.
Meanwhile the Labour Minister has urged the state governments to fix the minimum wage not below the national floor level wage of Rs.66/- and strictly monitor its implementation. It was stated that the Integrated Housing Scheme for Beedi workers has been revised and financial assistance per unit doubled upto Rs.40,000 from July this year. The eligibility ceiling has also been increased Rs.3500 to 6500. To improve health care of Beedi workers, the Ministry has also launched a pilot scheme under which a one-time maximum grant of Rs. 2 crore would be provided to the state governments, ESIC, NGOs etc for construction of hospitals.
The Employees State Insurance Corporation has netted in two lakh more workers by way of extending its coverage to 14 new geographical areas and increasing the wage ceiling limit from Rs. 6,500 to Rs. 7,500 during this period.
The Ministry has also formulated a scheme for upgradation of 500 existing Industrial Training Institutes, ITIs, into Centres of Excellence for meeting international standards by the craftsmen. The upgradation process is estimated to cost Rs.800 crore. One hundred ITIs would be upgraded this year through internal resources while the World Bank will assist financially in upgradation of the rest.
Addressing the officials, Shri Ola emphasized that majority of our workers are still bereft of social security and other welfare measures. He called for evolving innovative ways to speedily meet the aspirations of the workers.
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