{"id":8741,"date":"2019-12-31T03:18:51","date_gmt":"2019-12-30T21:48:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/udaen.info\/?p=8741"},"modified":"2019-12-31T03:18:51","modified_gmt":"2019-12-30T21:48:51","slug":"year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-labour-and-employment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/udaen.info\/?p=8741","title":{"rendered":"Year End Review- 2019: Ministry of Labour and Employment"},"content":{"rendered":"
Year End Review- 2019: Ministry of Labour and Employment<\/p>\n

More than 39 Lakhs Beneficiaries Enrolled In PM-SYM and more than 20,000 in NPS- Traders 1,52,778 establishments covering 1,21,65,587 Employees Benefitted under PMRPY<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Ministry of Labour and Employment has taken a number of initiatives for bringing transparency and accountability through reforms and enforcement of Labour Laws, with the objective of strengthening the safety, security, health, social security for every worker and bringing ease of compliance for running an establishment to catalyze creation of employment opportunities.\u00a0 These initiatives include governance reforms through use of e-governance measures and legislative reforms by simplifying, amalgamating and rationalizing the existing labour laws into 4 labour codes.\u00a0 Two mega pension schemes were launched during the year for old age protection and social security of unorganized workers.<\/p>\n

LEGISLATIVE\u00a0 INITIATIVES: LABOUR LAW\u00a0 REFORMS<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Labour Codes:<\/strong>\u00a0As per the recommendations of the 2nd<\/sup>\u00a0National Commission on Labour, Ministry has taken steps for codification of existing Central labour laws into 4 Codes\u00a0\u00a0 by simplifying, amalgamating and rationalizing the relevant provisions of the Central Labour laws. At present, the Ministry has been working on to simplify, amalgamate & rationalize the provisions of the existing Central labour laws into 4 Labour Codes.<\/p>\n

(I)\u00a0Labour Code on Wages:<\/strong>\u00a0The Code on Wages, 2019 subsumes 4 existing Laws, viz. the Minimum Wages Act, 1948; the Payment of Wages Act, 1936; the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965; and the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. It has been passed by both Houses of the Parliament and assented to by the President on 08.08.2019.<\/p>\n

(II)\u00a0Labour Code on Industrial Relations<\/strong>: The draft Labour Code on Industrial Relations\u00a0subsumes the existing Laws viz.\u00a0The Trade Union Act, 1926; The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946; The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947. The Code has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 28.11.2019.<\/p>\n

(III)\u00a0Labour Code on Social Security & Welfare<\/strong>: The draft Code on Social Security subsumes \u00a009 Labour Acts like: The Employees\u2019 Compensation Act, 1923, The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, The Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, The Unorganized Workers\u2019 Social Security Act, 2008 etc.<\/p>\n

The Code has been introduced in Lok Sabha on December 11, 2019.<\/p>\n

(IV)\u00a0Labour Code on\u00a0Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions<\/strong>: The\u00a0Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, 2019\u00a0subsumes the 13 Labour Acts like: The Factories Act, 1948, The Plantation Labour Act, 1951, The Mines Act, 1952, The Building and Other Constructions Workers\u2019 (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 etc.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Occupational Safety Health & Working Conditions Code, 2019 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 23.07.2019.\u00a0Presently, the Code has been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour for examination.<\/p>\n

GOVERNANCE\u00a0 REFORMS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Shram Suvidha Portal:<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ministry of Labour & Employment has developed a unified Web Portal \u2018Shram Suvidha Portal\u2019, to bring transparency and accountability in enforcement of labour laws and ease complexity of compliance.<\/p>\n

Allotment of unique Labour Identification Number (LIN)<\/strong>\u00a0to Units after registration to facilitate online inspection & compliance was started on the Portal with its launch on 16.10.2014 itself. Unique Labour Identification Number (LIN) has been allotted to 27,81,065 units as on 08.11.2019.<\/p>\n

Transparent Labour Inspection Scheme in Central Sphere<\/strong>\u00a0was started on the Portal with its launch on 16.10.2014 itself. Since the launch of the Labour Inspection Scheme, 5,24,189 inspection reports across the four Central Labour Enforcement Agencies\u00a0 have been uploaded on Shram Suvidha Portal.<\/p>\n

ONLINE RETURN<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Unified Online\u00a0 Annual Returns have been made mandatory in respect of eight (8) Central Labour Acts,\u00a0 namely,\u00a0 the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, and the Building and Other Construction Workers(Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) (BOCW) Act, 1996. These Returns which were half yearly\/annually earlier, now need to be filed by all employers annually only and are to be filed online.\u00a0<\/strong>1,08,711 online returns have been filed on the Shram Suvidha Portal as on 08.11.2019 Since launch of the Online Annual Return.<\/p>\n

31,047 online returns have been filed on the Shram Suvidha Portal till November 08, 2019 under Mines Act, 1952 (Coal Mines Regulations, Metallurgical Mines Regulations and Oil Mines Regulations).<\/p>\n

Unified monthly Electronic Challan-cum-Return (ECR) for EPFO and ESIC has been made operational.<\/p>\n

COMMON REGISTRATION<\/strong>: Common Registration form for EPFO and ESIC has been made operational. 1,27,544 units have been registered with EPFO & 1,07,681 units have been registered with ESIC as on November 08, 2019.<\/p>\n

Common Registration under three Central Acts namely the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Condition of Service) Act, 1996, the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and conditions of Service) Act, 1979 and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 is being provided online on Shram Suvidha Portal. 6052\u00a0<\/strong>registrations have been issued using this facility as on 08.11.2019.<\/p>\n

Licenses under two Central Acts, namely, the,\u00a0 Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979 and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 have been made online. 20,316\u00a0<\/strong>licenses have been issued using this facility as on 08.11.2019.<\/p>\n

State Integration<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Integration of States with Shram Suvidha Portal is under way. As on date, Haryana, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Delhi are being integrated with the Portal. Data is being shared and LIN is being allotted to the establishments covered by the state labour enforcement agencies.<\/p>\n

Start Up India<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Facility for exemption from Labour Inspections under six (6) Central Labour Acts is being provided to the Start-ups which submit self certified declarations through Shram Suvidha Portal.<\/p>\n

State\/UT Governments have been advised to regulate the inspections for the Start-Ups, wherever applicable and extend the self-certification compliance regime from 3 years to 5 years. 27 States\/UTs have taken action on the advisory dated 12.01.2016 \/06.04.2017 issued by this Ministry for self-certification and to regulate inspection under the four (4)\u00a0 labour laws\u00a0viz.\u00a0<\/em>the Building & Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996,\u00a0<\/em>the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979,the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 and the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 for the start-ups wherever applicable.<\/p>\n

Social Security Schemes<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Government of India has launched two pension schemes for old age protection and social security of Unorganised Workers in 2019.<\/p>\n

Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM)<\/strong>, a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, was launched in February, 2019 for the benefit of unorganized workers. It is central sector scheme open to unorganised workers, whose monthly income is Rs.15000\/- or below and who has an Aadhar number as well as savings bank \/ jan-dhan account. The minimum age for joining the scheme is 18 years and the maximum is 40 years. Under the scheme, minimum assured monthly pension of Rs.3000\/- will be provided to the beneficiaries from the age of 60 years onwards. Enrolment to the Scheme is done through the Common Service Centres, with its network of 3.50 lakh Centres across the country. In addition eligible persons can also self-enroll through visiting the portal www.maandhan.in. Under the scheme, the subscriber is required to pay the prescribed monthly contribution amount and the Central Government provides equal contribution. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is the Pension Fund Manager and shall be responsible for pension pay-out.\u00a0Total number of 39,00,525 beneficiaries under PM-SYM have been enrolled as on 10.12.2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

National Pension Scheme for Traders, Shopkeepers and Self-Employed Persons<\/strong>\u00a0has been launched on 12.09.2019. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme. Enrolment to the Scheme is done through the Common Service Centres, with its network of 3.50 lakh Centres across the country. In addition eligible persons can also self-enroll through visiting the portal www.maandhan.in. The traders in the age group of 18-40 years with an annual turnover, not exceeding Rs.1.5 crore and who are not a member of EPFO\/ESIC\/NPS\/PM-SYM or an income tax payer, can join the scheme. Under the scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government. Subscribers, after attaining the age of 60 years, are eligible for a monthly minimum assured pension of Rs.3,000\/-.\u00a0Total number of 20,000 beneficiaries under NPS-Traders have been enrolled as on 10.122019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pension Week<\/strong>\u00a0was also celebrated in all the States\/UTs w.e.f. 30th\u00a0<\/sup>November to 06th\u00a0<\/sup>December, 2019 in coordination with Common Service Centres, to increase the enrolments under both the Schemes, i.e. PM-SYM and NPS-Traders. A Central level function was inaugurated on 30.11.2019 by Minister for Labour and Employment launching the Pension Week\/Pension Saptah. All the State Governments\/UT Governments were requested for popularizing and bringing more awareness about the scheme. The progress of the Scheme is being reviewed regularly in the Ministry for taking initiatives under Mission Mode.<\/p>\n

Major Steps Taken In EPFO<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Three new apps to improve service delivery of subscribers were launched by Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Minister of State (I\/C) for Labour and Employment on EPFO Foundation Day. The details of three important digital initiatives of EPFO are as under:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Online Facility for UAN generation by worker<\/strong>: Now any workers can obtain Universal Account Number (UAN) directly on EPFO website which enrolls them for PF, Pension and Life Insurance benefits and a worker need not depend on his employer alone for UAN.\u00a0<\/em>This is in the direction of ease of living and ensuring universal social security.<\/p>\n

2. EPS Pensioner\u2019s PPO in DigiLocker website\/Application (APP)<\/strong>\u00a0EPFO integrates with DigiLocker of NeGD to create depository of electronic PPOs which is accessible to individual pensioners. This is a move towards paperless system and ease of living for pensioners.<\/p>\n

3. e-Inspections<\/strong>: Digital interface of EPFO with employers: The E-Inspection Form would be available in user login of employers not filing ECR which enables employer to inform either closure of business or unpaid dues with proposal for payment. It will nudge employers for compliant behavior and prevent undue harassment of non-willful defaulters and eliminate inspector raj.<\/p>\n

Central Board of Trustees, EPF recommends crediting of 8.65% rate of interest on Accumulations in the EPF Member\u2019s Account for the year 2018-19:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 224th<\/sup>\u00a0meeting of the Central Board of Trustees, EPF under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment (I\/C) Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar, the Central Board recommended crediting of 8.65 % rate of interest on the EPF accumulations in the EPF member\u2019s account for the year 2018-19.<\/p>\n

New Initiatives taken in\u00a0Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting held on 21 August 2019:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Amendment in Employees\u2019 pension Scheme 1995:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a major decision, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT)\u00a0EPF in a meeting held at Hyderabad on 21 August 2019, approved the proposal to recommend for amendment in\u00a0Employees’ Pension Scheme\u00a0(<\/strong>EPS) 1995 for restoration of commuted value of pension to the Pensioners after 15 years of drawing commutation which will benefit approx. 6.3 lakhs pensioners. This was a long pending demand of the pensioner<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0Launch of Revamped EPFIGMS 2.0 Version:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Chairman CBT also launched the revamped EPFIGMS 2.0 version which will benefit more than 5 crores subscribers and lakhs of employers by speedy and smooth resolution of grievances.<\/p>\n

Selection of ETF Manufacturers<\/strong>: The Board approved the decision to choose the\u00a0Exchange\u00a0Traded Fund\u00a0(ETF) manufacturers through public bidding by 30\/10\/2019, extension of the term of the present ETF manufacturers (SBI MF and UTI MF) till then and also to authorized the\u00a0Finance Investment & Audit Committee (FIAC) to conduct the exercise of choosing ETF manufacturers.<\/p>\n

Allocation of investment in Nifty 50 and Sensex:\u00a0<\/strong>The Board approved the proposal that the fund allocation between Nifty 50 and Sensex ETFs be divided evenly, i.e. in the ratio of 50% to 50%.<\/p>\n

Appointment of a Consultant in addition to M\/s. CRISIL Ltd:\u00a0<\/strong>The Board approved the nomination of members from employer\u2019s and employee side in a Committee constituted to select and appoint a separate Agency\/Consultant in addition to M\/s. CRISIL limited, inter-alia to review the working of the Portfolio Managers (PMs), assist the investment Committee in redemption of ETFs, etc.<\/p>\n

Appointment of Portfolio Managers for managing funds of Central Board, EPF<\/strong>: The Central Board approved Request for Proposal (RFP) document for appointment of Portfolio Managers and recommendation of the FIAC on appointment of Portfolio Managers.<\/p>\n

Exercise of early redemption options available in DHFL Bonds:\u00a0<\/strong>The Board approved for early redemption option in DHFL bonds recommended by FIAC.<\/p>\n

Major Steps Taken In ESIC<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Rate reduction in ESI Contribution-<\/strong>\u00a0The ESI Corporation has reduced rates of ESI Contribution being paid by employees and employers covered under ESI Scheme from 6.5 % (Employees\u2019 share 1.75% & Employers\u2019 share 4.75%) to 4% (Employees\u2019 share 0.75% & Employers\u2019 share 3.25%) with effect from 01.07.2019. This reduction of contribution rates, will ensures financial relief to employers and employees. However, the healthcare\u00a0benefits<\/em>\u00a0under the\u00a0ESI<\/em>\u00a0scheme\u00a0will<\/em>\u00a0remain the\u00a0same<\/em>. The decision will benefit 36 million workers and 1.28 million employers.<\/p>\n

Health Passbook for ESI Beneficiaries –\u00a0<\/strong>ESIC has introduced a Health Passbook for ESI Beneficiaries in Phased manner. This Health Passbook serves as a user-friendly mechanism for beneficiary identification, recording of clinical finding and consultation advice by the Insurance Medical Practitioner(s). Salient feature of Health Passbook is as under: –<\/p>\n