Speech made by Hon’ble Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar at the 107th International Labour Conference 2018 on 06 June 2018
President of the 107th ILC, Director General ILO, Mr Guy Ryder, dignitaries on the dais, ladies and gentlemen
It is a matter of great joy and pride for me to be present at this stage of the 107th International Labour Conference of ILO. ILO’s agenda this year is not only contemporary but also relevant.
This Conference will prove to be a milestone in ensuring better life and service conditions for workers. Discussion on issues such as women’s participation in the workplace; social dialogue and tripartism; sustainable development of the workers engaged in the organized and unorganized sectors will contribute to human dignity throughout the world.
In the last 4 years under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, our government has taken concerted efforts to promote the development of all the sections of society and labour has been the center of this development process. India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Through creative reforms in the tax regime, our government has successfully implemented the GST as part of the indirect tax system. At the same time, Ministry of Labour and Employment is working to rationalize labour laws in line with the changing social and economic conditions. In this direction, provisions of more than 40 labour laws are being simplified into 4 labour codes. These codes aim to ensure minimum wages, universal social security cover; improve the working environment at the workplace and strengthen industrial relations.
India ratified ILO Conventions No. 138 and 182 concerning child labour last year. To have an impact at the ground level, we have launched the PENCiL portal which has components that ensure mechanism for redressal of complaints, child tracking system and rehabilitation of child labour.
Under the Prime Minister Employment Promotion Scheme, the Government of India reimburses 12% of the total PF given by the employer for new employee. As a result of this, so far 4 million workers have moved to the organized sector from the unorganized sector and in the coming year, more than 10 million workers would move to the organized sector. Fixed Term Employment has reduced labour market rigidity and had made country’s labour force more dynamic in nature. This has also imparted flexibility to the establishments. At the same time, social security cover is ensured to the workers.
In our commitment to social security to women workers, Government of India has increased the paid leave under the Maternity Benefit Amendment Act from 12 to 26 weeks. With this initiative, India has become one of those countries in the world that provide maximum maternity benefit.
In order to promote entrepreneurship in the country, especially among the youth, women and small enterprises, the Government of India has launched the flagship microfinance scheme MUDRA under which Rs 6000 billion have been disbursed in 120 million accounts. Under the scheme, more than 75% of the beneficiaries are women.
Government of India provides Rs 0.2 million life insurance cover and Rs 0.4 million accidental insurance cover to the workers engaged in the unorganized sector. The entire premium under these schemes would be paid by the Government. I am pleased to mention that as on date 30 million people have registered under these schemes. Also, under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, 100 million families will be provided health related social security cover. The scheme would provide to each family medical insurance cover of worth Rs 0.5 million.
We look forward to the outcomes of these discussions and again congratulate DG, Guy Ryder for a successful ILC.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat
