New Delhi:“India is making a determined effort to extend basic social security coverage and a number of important measures have been initiated, especially in the informal economy”. This was stated by the Director General of International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. Juan Somavia, in his address to the two-day Asia-Pacific Regional High-Level Meeting on Socially Inclusive Strategies to Extend Social Security which got underway here this morning.
Mr. Assane Diop, the Executive Director, Social Protection Sector of ILO also applauded India’s ‘path-breaking’ efforts in providing social security coverage through the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Unorganized Sector Workers’ Social Security Bill.
The Conference has brought together representatives of Governments, Workers and Employers from 21 Asia Pacific countries. It has been organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment (Independent Charge) Shri Oscar Fernandes said that the Indian Government is committed to provide social security and social protection to all workers in the informal sector also. He said that a conscious attempt has been made by the Government through the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme which provides for at least 100 days of employment guarantee in a year to unemployed rural workers.
Shri Fernandes specifically mentioned the ‘Aam Aadmi Bima Yojna’ which provides for life and disability cover to all the rural landless households in the country and the Rashtriya Swasthaya Bima Yojna wherein the health cover would be provided to all the Below Poverty Line workers in the unorganized sector during the next five years. Stating that around 300 million persons would get the benefit of this scheme, the Minister said that reaching out to such huge numbers in far flung area is a stupendous task and would test the capacity and capabilities of the Insurance Companies whose task is to sell this product which would also be our commitment for the cause.
The Minister informed the delegates from the Asia-Pacific region that Government of India is making available food grains at highly subsidized rates to beneficiaries living below the poverty line and those coming under the category of poorest of the poor under the Targeted Public Distribution system (Antyodaya Anna Yojana).
In his address, the Director General of International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. Juan Somavia said that four out of five around the world lack basic social protection. He however, expressed the satisfaction that the countries have recognized the fact that social security underpins balanced social and economic development and it is a powerful tool to fight poverty and inequality in all societies. He said that it is key to unleashing the full productive potential of workers, enabling people to go beyond their survival and expand their potential.
Mr. Assane Diop, the Executive Director, Social Protection Sector of ILO applauded India’s ‘path-breaking efforts’ in providing social security coverage through the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and the Unorganized Sector Workers’ Social Security Bill. He said that extending social security not only makes for good social policy in political and economic terms, it also stands to be seen as a vital investment in each country’s human resources and its social stability that is the prerequisite for progress.
The aims of the conference include helping delegates to share experiences regarding ways of extending social security coverage and dealing with emerging challenges, identifying good practices and fostering consensus on ways to proceed.