RSS-affiliated trade union BMS accuses Modi govt of changing Ambedkar’s social security laws

BMS has rejected the Modi govt's fourth draft social security code, saying a lot of beneficial provisions included in the first draft have been removed.

Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh is the trade union affiliate of the RSS (Representational image) | Commons

New Delhi: The RSS-affiliated Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has rejected the Modi government’s latest draft social security code, terming it as “totally disappointing for workers”.

The BMS has also raised concerns over the possibility of private players implementing schemes and running Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) medical colleges and hospitals.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment had circulated a draft of the social security code in September to seek comments from stakeholders, but the trade union accused the Modi government of attempting to change social security laws such as the ESI and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), shaped by B.R. Ambedkar.

“The government should understand that it is changing the main social security laws like ESI and EPF shaped by none other than a great visionary like Ambedkar. It should not miss the historic role in shaping the destiny of the nation by its casual approach,” said C.K. Saji Narayanan, national president of the BMS.

“Hence, BMS totally rejects the fourth draft and requests the government to reconsider and modify the second draft considering the objections and suggestions made by the BMS, to the benefit of workers.”

Provisions beneficial to workers missing

In a statement, the BMS said that the first draft of the code had contained highly beneficial provisions such as providing social security for all, workers having access to nearly 14 social security benefits, a central apex council headed by the prime minister, wages not to be less than minimum wages, post-retirement benefits, and a separate fund for gratuity, among others.

These “beneficial clauses”, it added, are missing from the fourth draft.

According to the BMS, as per the latest code on social security, ESI medical colleges, dental colleges, nursing colleges and training institutes for officers and staff can be run by “any person”.

“This will give room for the entry of private agencies in social insurance,” the statement said. “This is objectionable.”

It further said that the provision for opting out of ESI is also “highly” objectionable. “Ignorant workers will go for other private parties,” it said. “One has to bear in mind that no health or social security scheme in the whole world is as comprehensive and beneficial as ESI.”