Review on Progress of Welfare Measures for Unorganised Labour

A review meeting on welfare measures for unorganised labour, such as migrant workers, Building & Other Construction Workers (BoCW), and Beedi/Cine/Non-Coal Mine workers, was presided over by Smt Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, on October 17, 2024. Senior representatives from the Directorate General Labour Welfare (DGLW) attended the meeting, which assessed current Central and State labour welfare initiatives.Ms. Dawra directed the creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to classify workers and match them with appropriate schemes like PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), stressing the significance of linking unorganised workers with welfare schemes.

She highlighted the recently launched BoCW MIS portal’s role in monitoring fund utilization and worker registration, ensuring BoC workers’ access to welfare programs.

The Secretary prioritized health benefits for Beedi/Cine/Non-Coal Mine workers aged 70+, extended coordination with State BoCW Welfare Boards, and integration of BoC workers’ data with the e-Shram portal for easy scheme access. Ms. Dawra called for consistent interaction between State Welfare Commissioners and governments to broaden informal workers' access to support schemes. The Ministry also planned a Capacity Building Program on October 21-22 at V.V. Giri National Labour Institute, Noida, to discuss strategies for improving welfare measures.