Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has proposed that minimum wages will apply to all categories of workers, and they will all be covered by the Employees State Insurance Corporation. In her budget speech on last Monday, Mrs Sitharaman said, through a portal, the government will collect relevant information on the unorganized labour force, especially for migrant workers. The data on migrant workers collected through the portal will help formulate health, housing, skill, insurance and food schemes for them.
The Finance Minister said, the families of migrant workers will be allowed ration under one nation, one ration.
The One Nation One Ration Card plan is under implementation by 32 states and Union Territories, reaching about 69 crore beneficiaries. A total of 86 per cent beneficiaries have been covered. The remaining four states and UTs will be integrated in the next few months. The government also proposes to conclude a process that began 20 years ago, with the implementation of the four labour codes.
For the first time globally, social security benefits will extend to gig and platform workers. Women will be allowed to work in all categories and also in the night-shifts with adequate protection. At the same time, compliance burden on employers will be reduced with single registration and licensing, and online returns.