About the Ministry - The Ministry of Labour & Employment is one of the oldest and important Ministries of the Government of India.
The main responsibility of the Ministry is to protect and safeguard the interests of workers in general and those who constitute the poor, deprived and disadvantage sections of the society, in particular, with due regard to creating a healthy work environment for higher production and productivity and to develop and coordinate vocational skill training and employment services.
Government’s attention is also focused on promotion of welfare and providing social security to the labour force both in organized and unorganized sectors, in tandem with the process of liberalization.
These objectives are sought to be achieved through enactment and implementation of various labour laws, which regulate the terms and conditions of service and employment of workers.
The State Governments are also competent to enact legislations, as labour is a subject in the concurrent list under the Constitution of India.
Creation of a centralized database of all unorganized workers (UWs) including Construction Workers, Migrant Workers, Gig and Platform workers, Street Vendors, Domestic Workers, Agriculture Workers, etc., to be seeded with Aadhaar.
To improve the implementation efficiency of the social security services for the unorganized workers.(ii) Integration of Social Security Schemes meant for UWs being administered by MoLE and subsequently those run by other ministries as well.
Sharing of information in respect of registered unorganised workers with various stakeholders such as Ministries/ Departments/ Boards/ Agencies/ Organisations of the Central & State Governments through APIs for delivery of various social security and welfare schemes being administered by them.
Portability of the social security and welfare benefits to the migrant and construction workers.
Providing a comprehensive database to Central and State Governments for tackling any National Crises like COVID-19 in future.
Who can register in eShram (NDUW) Portal?
Any individual satisfying following condition can register on the portal: An unorganised worker (UW), Age should be between 16-59 years, Not a member of EPFO/ESIC or NPS (Govt. funded)
Who is Unorganised Worker?
Any worker who is a home based-worker, self-employed worker or a wage worker in the unorganised sector including a worker in the organised sector who is not a member of ESIC or EPFO or not a Govt. employee is called an Unorganised Worker.
What is required for registration?
Following is required to register on the portal: Aadhar Number, Mobile number linked with Aadhaar, Savings Bank Account number with IFSC code
The Ministry of Labour & Employment which is one of the oldest and important Ministries of the Government of India, is continuously working on improving life and dignity of Labour force of country by protecting & safeguarding the interest of workers, promotion of welfare and providing social security to the Labour force both in Organized and Unorganized Sectors by enactment and implementation of various Labour Laws, which regulate the terms and conditions of service and employment of workers.
Accordingly, Ministry of Labour & Employment has developed eSHRAM portal for creating a National Database of Unorganized Workers (NDUW), which will be seeded with Aadhaar. It will have details of name, occupation, address, occupation type, educational qualification, skill types and family details etc. for optimum realization of their employability and extend the benefits of the social security schemes to them. It is the first-ever national database of unorganised workers including migrant workers, construction workers, gig and platform workers, etc.
What is PM Suraksha Bima Yojana? Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana is an Accidental Insurance scheme of Government of India eligible to the people between 18- 70 years of age group. It provides benefit of Rs. 2 Lakhs at the time of accidental death and permanent disability & Rs. 1 Lakh in case of partial disability
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan Yojana (PM-SYM) (Old Age Protection)
Voluntary and contributory pension schemes, Monthly contribution ranges from Rs.55 to Rs.200 depending upon the entry age of the beneficiary. Under this schemes, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government.
Eligibility - Should be an Indian Citizen, Unorganised Workers (working as street vendors, agriculture related work, construction site workers, workers in industries of leather, handloom, mid-day meal, rickshaw or auto wheelers, rag picking, carpenters, fisherman’s etc. Age group of 18-40 years Monthly income is below Rs.15000 and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS (Govt. funded).
Benefits- After attaining the age of 60 yrs, beneficiaries are entitled to receive minimum monthly assured pension of Rs.3000/-. On death of the beneficiary, spouse is eligible for 50% monthly pension. If husband and wife, both joins the scheme, they are eligible for Rs. 6000/- monthly pension jointly.
National Pension Scheme for Traders and The Self-employed Persons (NPS)
Voluntary and contributory pension schemes - Monthly contribution ranges from Rs.55 to Rs.200 depending upon the entry age of the beneficiary. Under this schemes, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government.
Eligibility - Should be an Indian Citizen Shopkeepers or owners who have petty or small shops, restaurants, hotels, real estate brokers etc. Age of 18-40 years, Not covered in EPFO/ESIC/PM-SYM, Annual turnover not more then 1.5 Crore in rupees
Benefits - Under the schemes, beneficiaries are entitled to receive minimum monthly assured pension of Rs.3000/- after attaining the age of 60 years.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana (PMJJBY) -
Eligibility - Should be an Indian Citizen, In the age group 18 to 50 years, Having Jandhan or saving bank account with Aadhaar. Auto-debit from bank account on consent
Benefits - Rs.2 lakh on death due to any cause, Premium @ Rs.436/- year
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
Eligibility - Should be an Indian Citizen, In the age group 18 to 70 years, Having Jandhan or saving bank account with Aadhaar. Auto-debit from bank account on consent
Benefits
The risk coverage under the scheme is Rs. 2 lakh for accidental death and full disability and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability. Premium @ 20/- year
Atal Pension Yojana
Eligibility - Should be an Indian citizen, Between the age of 18-40 years, Having bank account linked with Aadhaar
Benefits
The contributor on his choice, can attain a pension of 1000-5000 rupees, or he can also get an accumulated sum of the pension after his death. The accumulated amount will be given to the spouse or if the spouse is dead as well then to the nominee.
Public distribution scheme
Eligibility - Should be an Indian citizen All families below the poverty line is eligible. Any family which does not have a member between ages 15 and 59 years of age. Any family which has a disabled member is also eligible to avail of benefits under Pradhan Mantri Awas Gramin Yojana Those who do not have a permanent job and only engage in casual labour.
Benefits
35 kg of rice or wheat every month, while a household above the poverty line is entitled to 15 kg of food grain on a monthly basis. Being implemented as One Nation One Ration Card to enable migrant workers to receive the food grains wherever they are working.
Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)
Eligibility - Should be an Indian citizen Any family including workers, which does not have a member between ages 15 and 59 years of age. Any family which has a disabled member is also eligible to avail of benefits under Pradhan Mantri Awas Gramin Yojana Those who do not have a permanent job and only engaged in casual labour.
Benefits
Assistance provided to the Beneficiary to the tune of 1.2 Lakhs in plain areas and 1.3 Lakhs in Hilly Areas.
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) -Old age Protection
Eligibility - Should be an Indian citizen Any person who has little or no regular means of subsistence from his/her own source of income or through financial support from family members or other sources.
Benefits - Central Contribution @ Rs 300 to Rs 500 for different age group. Monthly pension ranges from Rs 1000 to rs 3000/ depending upon state’s contribution.
Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
Eligibility - Those living in scheduled caste and scheduled tribe households. Families with no male member aged 16 to 59 years. Beggars and those surviving on alms
Benefits
Health coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization free of cost.
Health Insurance Scheme for Weavers (HIS)
Eligibility - Should be an Indian Citizen The weaver should be earning at least 50% of his income from handloom weaving All weavers, whether male or female, are eligible to be covered under the “Health Insurance Scheme”
Benefits
The beneficiaries would avail a package of Rs 15,000 that includes both pre-existing diseases and new diseases. The division in terms of disbursement of the amount according to the medical conditions stands as- Maternity benefits (per child for the first two)- Rs 2500, Eye treatment – Rs 75, Spectacles – Rs 250, Domiciliary Hospitalisation- Rs 4000, Ayurvedic/Unnani/Homeopathic/Siddha- Rs 4000, Hospitalization (including pre and post)- Rs 15000, Baby coverage-500, OPD and limit per illness- Rs 7500.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Mandhan Yojana
Eligibility Should be an Indian Citizen For Small and Marginal Farmers Entry Age between 18 to 40 years Cultivable land up to 2 hectares as per land records of the concerned State/UT
Benefits Assured pension of Rs. 3000/- month Voluntary and Contributory Pension Scheme Matching Contribution by the Government of India.
National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
Eligibility - Should be an Indian Citizen, People involved as Safai karmacharis and manual scavengers
Benefits
Scheme provides financial assistance to the Safai Karamcharis, Manual Scavengers and their dependants through SCAs/RRBs/Nationalized Banks for any viable income generating schemes including sanitation related activities and for education in India and Abroad.
Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers
Eligibility - Should be an Indian Citizen Identified manual scavengers, one from each family, (as defined in para 2.3.1) would be eligible for One Time Cash Assistance (OTCA) of Rs. 40,000/- or any such amount as OTCA as revised from time to time.
Benefits
The manual scavenger and the dependents (as defined in para 2.3.2) shall be provided, free of cost, skill training of their choice from the list of such trainings organized by the National Safai Karmacharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) from time to time . A monthly stipend of Rs. 3000/-(Rupees three thousand only) or any such amount as may be decided from time to time to shall be remitted by NSKFDC.
MGNREGA
Eligibility
Should be an Indian Citizen Any person who is above the age of 18 and resides in rural areas is entitled to apply for work
Benefits
Any applicant is entitled to work within 15 days, for as many as he/she has applied, subject to a limit of 100 days per household per year. Wage rate (220) has been increased and to be incorporated.
Deen Dayal Upadhyay – Gramin Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
Eligibility
Should be an Indian Citizen Between the ages of 15 and 35 years, are eligible for the training programs. For women and other vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities, the upper age limit is relaxed to 45 years
Benefits
Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) aims to skill rural youth who are poor and provide them with jobs having regular monthly wages or above the minimum wages
Garib Kalyan Rozgar Yojana
Eligibility
Should be an Indian Citizen People working in 25 types of working areas were identified such as, PM Kusum Works, cattle sheds, poultry shed, goat sheds, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee RURBAN mission, workers in national highways, in construction of wells etc. are eligible.
Benefits
The scheme will give employment for one hundred and twenty-five days.
Deen Dayal Updhyaya Antyodaya Yojana (Day)
Eligibility
Any Indian citizen intending to get trained on skills
Benefits
The scheme aims to enhance skills and self-business by financing and supporting the poor.
PM SVANidhi
Eligibility
Should be an Indian Citizen Street vendors in possession of Certificate of Vending / Identity Card issued by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs); The vendors, who have been identified in the survey but have not been issued Certificate of Vending / Identity Card
Benefits
To facilitate working capital loan up to 10,000. To incentivize regular repayment. To reward digital transactions
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Eligibility
Should be an Indian Citizen 12th class dropouts or 10th pass students can enroll in PMKVY to develop their skill set. Applicable for any candidate of Indian nationality who is of age between 18-45 years
Benefits
Create an ecosystem for the youth to make informed choices on the available skilling avenues. Provide support to youth for skill training and certification. Promote sustainable Skill Centres for greater participation of private sector. Benefit 8 lakh youth over the scheme period (2020-21).
Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)
Eligibility
Should be an Indian Citizen Any individual, above 18 years of age. At least VIII standard pass for projects costing above Rs.10 lakh in the manufacturing sector and above Rs. 5 lakh in the business / service sector
Benefits
Scheme for providing financial assistance to set up new enterprises
The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 - Around 88% of the workforce of the country is engaged in unorganised sector and they are not getting adequate social security benefits. Few welfare schemes are being implemented by the Central Government for specific groups/sub-groups of unorganised workers such as beedi workers, cine workers, building and construction workers etc. Government are implementing welfare programmes for certain categories of unorganised sector workers and non-government organisations also provide social security to certain categories of workers. Central Government to provide certain welfare schemes to all groups of the unorganised sector workers, has enacted the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act 2008. This act has now been sub synced in the code on social security which is a common welfare approach.
The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act 1970 - Contract labour refers to a person, who has been hired to work in a company through a contractor for a specific work and period. Companies hire contractors who, in turn, recruit these workmen for different jobs. In order to prevent the ill-treatment of workers in any establishment and to ensure a healthier working environment for them, the contract labour regulation and abolition act was introduced in 1970. This act aims in abolition of contract labour and regulation of their service conditions wherever necessary through setting up of advisory boards to advise Central and State Government in administering the legislation and registration of establishments and contractors. This act has been sub synced in the occupational safety health on working conditions.
The Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation Of Employment And Conditions Of Service) Act 1979 - This Act is applicable to establishments and contractor employing 5 or more inter state workmen during any day in last 12 months. The Act also provides for registration of the establishments employing Inter-State migrant workmen and license for the contractor. This act has been sub synced in the occupational safety health on working conditions
The Minimum Wages Act 1948 - The purpose of minimum wages is to protect workers against low pay. Minimum wages can also be one element of a policy to overcome poverty and reduce inequality, by promoting the right to equal remuneration for work of equal value.In order to improve the wage standards in industries and occupations in Asian countries, where the wages are low, a need of fixing the minimum wages were needed. This Act provides fixation by Provincial Governments of minimum wages for employments covered by schedule to be bill.
The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 - In some parts of the country a debtor or his descendants or dependants must work for the creditor without reasonable or no wages to fulfil his debt called Bonded Labour System. This act states that forced labour is an offence punishable in accordance with the law and an ordinance was promulgated by The Honourable President in 1975, where the bonded labour system was abolished and bonded labourers were freed and discharged from any obligation to do bonded work.
To improve ease of compliance and ensure uniformity in labour laws, Government of India has recommended to consolidate the central labour laws into broader groups such as: (i) wages (ii) industrial relations, (iii) social security, (iv) safety, welfare and working conditions.
The Code on Social Security, 2020 - The Code on Social Security act aims to amend and consolidate the laws relating to social security with the goal to extend social security to all employees and workers either in the organised or unorganised or any other sectors. This also extends the benefits of the social security schemes to the code to platform workers which are one of the leading employments generating sector.
The Code on Wages, 2019 - This code seeks to regulate wage and bonus payments in all employments where any industry, trade, business, or manufacture is carried out. It will be applicable to all employees. For the workers working in the Central sectors, wages set by Central Government will be applicable and for the workers working in State Government sector, wages set by State Government will be applicable.
The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions code, 2020 - The Occupational Safety, Health And Working Conditions Code, 2020 is a code to consolidate and amend the laws regulating the Occupational safety and health and working conditions of the persons employed in an establishment. The Act replaces 13 old central labour laws.
Industrial Relations Code, 2020 - Industrial Relations Code, 2020 consolidates and amends the laws relating to Trade Unions, conditions of employment in industrial establishment or undertaking, investigation and settlement of industrial disputes. The bill was formulated according to the Report and Recommendations of the Second National Commission on Labour. The Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2020 proposed for amalgamating, simplifying and rationalising the relevant provisions of three Acts (i) Trade Unions Act, 1926, (ii) Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946, and (iii) Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
ABRY was announced as a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package to boost the economy, increase the employment generation in post Covid recovery phase and to incentivize creation of new employment along with social security benefits and restoration of loss of employment during COVID-19 pandemic.
This scheme being implemented through the Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), reduces the financial burden of the employers of various sectors/industries and encourages them to hire more workers.
Under ABRY, Government of India is crediting for a period of two years both the employees’ share (12% of wages) and employers share’ (12% of wages) of contribution payable or only the employees’ share, depending on employment strength of the EPFO registered establishments. Under ABRY benefits are provided to every establishment registered with EPFO and their new employees (earning wage less that Rs. 15,000/- per month) if the establishments take new employees on or after 1.10.2020 and upto 30th June, 2021 or those who lost jobs between 01.03.2020 to 30.09.2020.;
The scope of the scheme i.e. last date for registration of new employees under the scheme has been extended from 30th June 2021 to 31st march 2022 with the approval of CCEA in its meeting held on 30.06.2021. Approximately 71.8 Lakh employees are likely to get benefited during the scheme period. The beneficiaries registered upto 31st March, 2022 will continue to receive the benefits for 2 years from the date of registration under the scheme.
A scheme to boost creation of new jobs in formal sector through support of EPF contributions by the Central Government for new employees
SCHEME GUIDELINES
Introduction: The Central Government on 12.11.2020 announced the Aatmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package containing several stimulus measures to revive the economy and provide relief to stressed sectors. As part of the package Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY) Scheme is announced to incentivize creation of new employment and restoration of loss of employment during the COVID pandemic.
Scheme Objectives: The Scheme proposes to incentivize employers, registered with EPFO, for giving employment to new employees and re-employing persons from low wage bracket who lost their jobs during COVID-19 pandemic.
The Central Government will pay both the employees’ and employer’s share of contribution payable under the EPF & MP Act, 1952 or only the employees’ share, depending on the employment strength of the establishment, directly to the Universal Account Number of eligible employee maintained by the EPFO.
The Scheme stands commenced from 1st October, 2020 and shall remain open for registration of eligible employers and new employees up to 30th June, 2021.
The benefit shall be available for a period of twenty-four months from date of registration of new employee, not later than 30/06/2023 in any case.
Amount of benefit :
The Central Government will provide subsidy for twenty-four wage months in respect of eligible new employees at the following scale:
For Establishments employing up to and including One Thousand (1000) employees (contributing EPF members with UAN) in wage month September, 2020, the employer’s and employee’s share of contribution as per statutory rate applicable to establishment subject to maximum of 24% of wages.
These establishments will however continue to get subsidy of employer’s share even if the number of contributing EPF members with UAN exceeds 1000 during the scheme period.
For Establishments employing more than One Thousand (1000) employees (contributing EPF members with UAN) in wage month September, 2020, employees’ share of contribution as per statutory rate applicable to establishment subject to maximum of 12% of wages
Eligibility criteria for Establishments:
Establishments already registered before the commencement of this Scheme shall have to employ, over and above the reference base, minimum two new employees (if the reference base of employee is less than or equal to 50) and minimum five new employees (if the reference base of employees is more than 50)
Such already registered establishments must continue to employ minimum number of additional new employees as specified in sub-Para (1) above with respect to the reference base of employees as in Para 5 above for availing assistance under this Scheme for any wage month.
In addition to maintaining the minimum number of additional new employees, the already registered establishments must continue to retain the number of employees taken as reference base of employees for availing assistance under this Scheme for any wage month.
For new establishment getting registered with EPFO between 01.10.2020 to 30.06.2021, the reference base of employees shall be treated as zero. If any such establishment registers voluntarily with less than 20 employees and continues to maintain less than 20 employees during the validity period of this Scheme, such establishment will not be allowed to exit from statutory Schemes under EPF & MP Act, 1952 and beneficiaries who received benefit shall not be allowed to make final withdrawals until expiry of a period of two years after validity period of this Scheme.
Establishments working as contractors engaged in providing manpower to one or more principal employers shall not claim benefit of employers’ share under this Scheme if the same is claimed or received from the principal employer. Any such amount of employer’s share claimed under this shall be liable to be refunded to the Central Government.
If any establishment being a single legal entity is making compliance under various code numbers obtained from EPFO, then for the purpose of counting the number of 50/1000 employees, wherever applicable for eligibility criteria under this scheme, all employees in the establishment as a whole shall be included.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs launched a scheme PM Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) to empower Street Vendors by not only extending loans to them, but also for their holistic development and economic upliftment. The scheme intends to facilitate collateral free working capital loans of up to INR10,000/- of one-year tenure, to approximately 50 lakh street vendors, to help resume their businesses in the urban areas, including surrounding peri-urban/rural areas.
The PM SVANidhi scheme offers incentives in the form of:
interest subsidy @ 7% per annum on regular repayment of loan
cashback upto INR1200/- per annum on undertaking prescribed digital transactions
eligibility for enhanced next tranche of loans
Close to 2 million applications have been received under this scheme, of which 752191 have been sanctioned, and 218751 loans have already been disbursed.
PRE-APPLICATION STEPS
3 Simple pre-application steps have been listed to help street vendors get ready for the application process. Street vendors may apply directly on the PM SVANidhi portal, or through a Common Service Centre (CSC) nearby.
Understand the loan application requirements
Ensure mobile number is linked to Aadhaar
Check eligibility status as per scheme Rules
The detailed guidelines governing the scheme are listed on the PM SVANidhi portal to help street vendors & other stakeholders such as States, Urban bodies, & lenders in ensuring the flow of benefits to the beneficiaries of the scheme.
Eligibility Criteria - The PM SVANidhi scheme is available to all street vendors who are engaged in vending in urban areas as on or before March 24, 2020. The eligible vendors are identified as per following criteria:
Street vendors in possession of Certificate of Vending/Identity Card issued by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)
The vendors, who have been identified in the survey but have not been issued Certificate of Vending/Identity Card; Provisional Certificate of Vending would be generated for such vendors through an IT based Platform. ULBs are encouraged to issue such vendors the permanent Certificate of Vending and Identification Card immediately and positively within a period of one month
Street Vendors, left out of the ULBled identification survey or who have started vending after completion of the survey and have been issued Letter of Recommendation (LoR) to that effect by the ULB/Town Vending Committee (TVC)
The vendors of surrounding development/peri-urban/rural areas vending in the geographical limits of the ULBs and have been issued Letter of Recommendation (LoR) to that effect by the ULB/TVC.
The Government of India has extended the PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Scheme beyond March, 2022 with the following provisions:
Extension of lending period till December 2024;
Introduction of 3rd loan of upto ₹50,000 in addition to 1st & 2nd loans of ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 respectively.
To extend ‘SVANidhi Se Samriddhi’ component for all beneficiaries of PM SVANidhi scheme across the country;
As on November 30, 2022, 31.73 lakh Street Vendors have availed benefit of 1st loan of ₹ 10,000 loan ; Out of these 5.81 lakh have availed benefit of second loan of ₹ 20,000 loan; Out of those who availed 2nd loan, 6,926 street vendors have availed benefit of third loan of ₹50,000.
The subject matter relating to creation of vending zone falls under the ambit of Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, which is being implemented through respective State/UT. As reported by the States/UTs, a total of 13,403 vending zones have been identified so far.
42 lakh street vendors are to be provided benefits under PM SVANidhi Scheme by December, 2024.