The government is likely to scrap the NDA-drafted bill for workers in the unorganised sector as it "does not pay attention to the social security aspect" and plans to replace it with two bills.The Unorganised Sector Workers’ Bill drafted by the NDA was referred to the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector — which concluded that a single bill may not be the best way to address the problems of workers in the unorganised sector."We have instead suggested two bills — Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Bill and Unorganised Sector Workers (conditions of work and livelihood promotion) Bill — for the sector,’’ acting chairman of the commission, Jaishankar said. He added the earlier bill did not deal with the social security aspect in an exhaustive way.The new bill envisages covering all unorganised workers who earn up to Rs 5,000 a month. The bill plans to extend the social security cover to self-employed workers (including small and medium farmers), wage workers and home-based workers as well.The bill also envisages a minimum social security cover comprising health insurance, life insurance, old age pension and maternity benefits.Where the employer-employee relationship does not exist, the centre and the state governments will pay the employer’s share in the ratio of 3:1. On behalf of workers belonging to the below poverty line households, the Centre will make the contribution.
