The Ministry of Labour & Employment (MoLE) on July 18, 2022 has notified the details of the State/Union Territories (UTs) which have pre-published the draft Rules of the four labour code namely, the Code on Wages, 2019; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020 (IR Code); the Code on Social Security, 2020 (SS Code) and the Occupational Safety, Heath and Working Conditions Code, 2020 (OSH Code) and also invited comments of all stakeholders.
The Social Security Code, 2020, provides for social security benefits for all workers including in unorganized sectors as well as gig and platform workers.
The following new provisions have been inserted:
• Setting up of Social Security Fund for formulating schemes for welfare of the unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers.
• Extension of coverage under Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) to pan-India, i.e., in all districts in the country.
• ESIC coverage on voluntary basis for establishments having less than 10 employees has been introduced.
o Benefits under ESIC can also be made applicable through notification to an establishment which carries on hazardous or life threatening occupation in which even a single employee is employed.
o Extension of benefits to unorganised workers, gig workers and platform workers and the members of their families through ESIC or Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
o For the persons engaged in Fixed Term Employment (FTE), the proportionate benefit of service has been extended without requirement of minimum service of 5 years for gratuity. The person having a contract for one year under FTE will also be eligible for gratuity.
The Social Security Code, 2020 also provides for payment of gratuity to workers on the rate of wages last drawn and also provides that the amount of gratuity payable to an employee shall not exceed such amount as may be notified by the Central Government.
The Occupational Safety, Heath and Working Conditions Code, 2020 consolidates and amends the laws regulating the occupational safety, health and working conditions of the persons employed in an establishment. It inter alia provides for free annual health check-up of employees and provision for formal appointment letter. Women have been empowered for employment in all establishments covering all types of works. Women are now entitled to work in the night, subject to their consent, with provisions of safety.
Disclaimer – Kindly find the names of State/Union Territories in the provided link/document.
[Release ID: 1842615]
