In a recent meeting of all 36 States and UTs with the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the importance of harmonising labour laws across all the states and UTs was discussed, a PIB press release stated.
This meeting was also to review the progress of the implementation of welfare schemes for building and other construction (BoC) workers. The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/ Secretary/ Labour Commissioners of 36 States and UTs and senior officers of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The main findings of this meeting were that a large number of States/UTs have already pre-published the rules under the four labour codes, while only a few States/UTs are still busy framing their draft rules.
The meeting also discussed the need to complete a social audit of the expenditures made under the BoC workers cess fund. The meeting also discussed the Skill Development of Workers, portability of benefits for migrant workers, and the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) for life insurance, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) for personal accident insurance and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) for healthcare facilities, which are also being provided to BoC workers under the Government’s flagship social security schemes.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has requested all the States and UTs to take necessary steps to complete the social audit and CAG audit of the expenditures made under the BoC workers cess fund. The Ministry also requested the States/UTs to promote the welfare of beedi workers by enhancing their enrolment in various welfare and social security schemes/initiatives of the Government.