The term unorganized worker has been defined under the Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008.
Under section 2(m) of the Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008, the term ‘unorganized worker' means a home-based worker or a self-employed worker or a wage worker in the unorganized sector.
It includes a worker in the organized sector who is not covered by any of the acts pertaining to welfare schemes as mentioned in Schedule II of Unorganized Workers Social Security Act, 2008 i.e. the Employee's Compensation Act, 1923 (3 of 1923), the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947), the Employees' State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), the Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provision Act, 1952 (19 of 1952), the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (53 of 1961) and the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
Challenges
Lack of social security like pension, insurance, etc.
Lack of awareness regarding government initiatives on social scheme for unorganized workers.
Government Initiatives
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana: The Life and Disability cover is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY). PMJJBY is available to the people in the age group of 18 to 50 years having a bank/post office account who give their consent to join/enable auto debit.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): It is also available to the people in the age group of 18 to 70 years with a bank/post office account who give their consent to join/enable auto debit.
Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): It provides an annual health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per eligible family for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization corresponding to 1949 treatment procedures across 27 specialties. It is a completely cashless and paperless scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM): It is meant for old age protection and social security of unorganized workers. It provides monthly pension of Rs. 3000/- after attaining the age of
60 years. The workers in the age group of 18-40 years whose monthly income is Rs. 15000/- or less and not a member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS (Govt. funded) can join the PM-SYM Scheme.
e-Shram
The portal for the registration of unorganized workers across the country was launched on 26th August 2021.
This portal will help build a comprehensive National Database of Unorganized Workers (NDUW) in the country.
