Resource
Social Security for Unorganized Workers: National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector Report
Summary (English)
The National Common Minimum Programme (CMP) of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which was formed after the general elections in April/May 2004, was announced on 27 May 2004. It set out the major policy orientations adopted in order to enhance sustainable development in India. In the spirit of the Alliance, it referred in its preamble to the welfare of farmers, agricultural workers and weaker sections of the society and strongly stated a commitment to ensure, through social security, health insurance and other schemes the welfare and well-being of all workers, particularly in the unorganized sector who constitute 93% of the labour force. To follow up on this commitment, the Government established a National Commission to examine the major problems facing the various enterprises operating in the informal economy.
In August 2005, the National Commission published an ambitious plan (The Unorganized Sector Workers Social Security Draft Bill) aiming to provide a minimum level of social protection benefits to some 300 million informal economy workers. This proposal could be viewed as paving the way towards a nation-wide social security system based on the national solidarity principle. Almost one year later, in May 2006, the Commission released its report on Social Security for unorganized workers which included a revised version of this Bill complemented this time with detailed recommendations relating to its implementation mechanisms and financing requirements.
The present document presents this important Bill and provides an overview of the main features, provisions and practical measures recommended by the Commission in order to bring it into existence.
Note
Extension of Social Protection in India - Information Papers Series