Latest news with #CodeonSocialSecurity
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Delhi govt releases draft rules for labour code on social security
New Delhi: Delhi govt has released the draft rules under the Code on Social Security, proposing the establishment of career centres to assist both entrepreneurs and job-seekers, along with the creation of a social security board for unorganised workers. The draft rules also propose the formation of a social security fund and the formalisation of compensation for workers in cases of accidents and maternity benefits. The labour department of Delhi govt has invited objections and suggestions from all stakeholders and the general public, specifying the chapter and rule or sub-rule proposed to be modified, along with the reason for the same. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi With the publication of these draft rules, Delhi govt has taken a significant step towards implementing the four labour codes passed by Parliament over five years ago. The four codes—consolidating 29 central labour laws—were passed between 2019 and 2020 to give impetus to economic reforms and ensure the welfare of unorganised sector workers. Apart from the Code on Social Security, the other three codes pertain to Wages, Industrial Relations, and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions. The draft rules on social security are the first to be framed by Delhi govt, and those for the remaining three are yet to be finalised. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo As per the proposed framework, Delhi govt will either establish, run, and maintain career centres or modify and declare the existing employment exchange or portal for people to seek employment or employees and post vacancies. The social security fund will consist of a lump sum contribution from the state govt, central govt grants, contributions from statutory bodies, and financial support from employers or their associations. This fund will be used to implement welfare schemes targeting unorganised workers. The proposed Delhi Unorganised Workers Social Security Board will include seven representatives each from organisations representing unorganised workers and their employers, two MLAs, five eminent civil society members, and 10 officials from relevant state departments. However, the draft has drawn criticism from worker unions. The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) argued that the rules would dilute existing social security mechanisms currently provided through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation, Employees' State Insurance , and the Construction Workers' Welfare Board. CITU general secretary Aniyan Varkey was concerned about the definition of "unorganised worker", which includes certain workers in the organised sector not covered under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.
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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
One Act and 3 Bills on, gig workers say there is progress, but not enough
With the publication of Telangana Gig and Platform Workers (Registration, Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025, Telangana is all set to join the list of states with a legislation to ensure social security, and regulate working conditions for gig workers. The only state to currently have a gig workers Act in place is Rajasthan. The state assembly had passed the Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act in July 2023. In Karnataka and Jharkhand, the Cabinet has cleared the respective Bills. They are expected to be introduced in the Monsoon session of the assemblies. These developments point to increasing state-level efforts to bring India's gig workers under some form of welfare net. While they see these developments as welcome efforts, gig workers' unions say they are, at the same time, insufficient. For many worker unions, and gig workers themselves, these welfare boards and registration drives are only partial answers to deeper issues of recognition, accountability, and rights. These efforts by states are also seen as a follow-up after the central government introduced the Code on Social Security in 2020, which, for the first time, tried to include gig workers under the legal ambit. Section 2(35) of the Code defines a 'gig worker' as someone who performs tasks or participates in work arrangements and earns from such activities outside of traditional employer-employee relationship. Sunand, president of the Rajdhani App-Based Workers' Union who goes by only his first name, says the state Bills are similar to the social security code. Neither the code nor the Bills, he says, talk about the kind of welfare schemes that will be implemented and where the money for these schemes will come from. For gig workers, fixed working hours, a guarantee of sufficient wages within that period, and ID blocking or termination from work by the platform at will are the most pressing issues. 'Platforms have undue control over workers,' says Sunand. 'These issues of algorithmic control and arbitrary deactivation directly affect workers' livelihoods, yet remain absent from the legal discourse.' Shaik Salauddin, national general secretary of the Indian Federation of App-Based Transport Workers, and president of the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers' Union, also says there are missing links in the Telangana Bill, and the issue of wages are not addressed in it. That said, Salauddin considers the Telangana Bill to be better than others. 'Grievance redressal mechanism is better in this Bill; the time to lodge complaints is mentioned. There is a provision of penalty as well,' says Salauddin. Sunand echoes the same sentiment: 'There is greater government monitoring of platforms in the Telangana and Jharkhand Bills.' Employer-employee relationship at the core The social security code explicitly states that gig workers fall outside of traditional employer-employee relationships. At the heart of the dissatisfaction is this broader structural issue. The unions highlight that none of the Bills consider gig workers as employees of a company. All legislation focuses on welfare boards, registration, and modest benefits such as accident insurance or health schemes. They stop short of challenging the aggregator platforms' insistence that gig workers are 'partners' or 'independent contractors'. 'Gig workers should come under traditional employer-employee relationships, and platforms should work as traditional employers. This is the core problem. Unless this is resolved, other things don't matter,' says Sunand. A traditional employer-employee relationship is a structured, long-term one between the employer and employee, with the employee getting certain benefits such as gratuity and provident fund (PF). Sunand says since governments are not addressing the core problems of wages, working hours and blocking, there has been minimal resistance from the companies, except in Karnataka, where gig workers appear to have been equated with traditional employees. Industry body the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) issued a statement highlighting this concern around the Karnataka Bill: 'It assumes gig work to be a part of employer-employee relationship, which risks unsettling the conceptual and legal basis of gig work. This assumption is core of the Bill and basis this, it prescribes several obligations, which may be relevant only in an employer-employee relationship.' Uber, one of the largest players in India's ride-hailing and gig economy sector, said it is engaging with state-level policymakers as new laws take shape. It called for consistency, operational clarity, and inclusivity across the ecosystem in emerging frameworks. 'We look forward to ongoing dialogue with governments at all levels and remain committed to constructive engagement on matters concerning the platform economy,' a spokesperson of the company said. States and gig workers Feature Telangana (draft Bill) Karnataka (draft Bill) Jharkhand (draft Bill) Rajasthan (Act) Definition of gig worker Work arrangement falling outside the traditional employer-employee relationship Work through an online platform, with pay determined by terms and conditions Work falls outside the traditional employer-employee relationship, obtained through an online platform, contractual, piece-rate Work falls outside the traditional employer-employee relationship, obtained through an online platform, contractual, piece-rate Platform worker's definition Persons obtaining work through an online platform No distinction between a gig worker and platform worker No distinction between a gig worker and platform worker No distinction between a gig worker and platform worker Rights Registration, social security schemes, and grievance redressal mechanism Registration, social security schemes, and grievance redressal mechanism Registration, social security schemes, and grievance redressal mechanism Registration, social security schemes, grievance redressal mechanism, participation in board discussions Gig worker registration Self-registration as prescribed. Aggregators provide a database of workers registered with them within 60 days from commencement of the Act Workers must be registered by aggregators within 60 days from commencement of the Act Workers must be registered by aggregators within 60 days from commencement of the Act Workers must be registered by aggregators within 60 days from commencement of the Act Aggregators registration Must register within 45 days from the commencement of the Act Must register within 60 days from commencement of the Act Must register within 60 days from commencement of the Act Must register within 60 days from commencement of the Act Algorithm transparency Aggregators must inform workers about how to access information on automated systems that monitor and affect their work Aggregators must inform workers about: (i) rating systems, (ii) worker classification, (iii) use of personal data, and algorithms affecting work conditions Aggregators must inform workers about: (i) rating systems, (ii) worker classification, (iii) use of personal data, and algorithms affecting work conditions No provision for transparency in automated monitoring and decision-making systems Termination of work Reason for termination must be given in writing, with a seven-day prior notice Reasons must be included in the contract, and a 14-day prior notice Reasons must be included in the contract, and a 14-day prior notice No provision for termination of work Grievance redressal Grievances can be filed via a portal or through an officer. Order within 30 days Grievances can be filed via a portal or an officer. Appeals within 90 days Grievances can be filed via a portal or an officer. Appeals within 90 days Grievances can be filed via a portal or an officer. Appeals within 90 days Welfare fee 1 to 2% of the individual payout to the gig worker, paid by the aggregator quarterly Based on worker pay per transaction or aggregator turnover, paid quarterly Percentage of transaction value, as specified by the state government Percentage of transaction value, as specified by the state government Sources of fund Welfare fund fee, contributions by platform and workers, grants-in-aid from the Centre and state government, CSR fund, grants, gifts, or donations Welfare fee, contributions by platform-based gig workers, grants-in-aid from both central and state government, grants, bequests or transfers Welfare fee, contributions by platform-based gig workers, grants-in-aid from both central and state government, grants, bequests or transfers Welfare fee, grants-in-aid from state government, any other sources Usage of fund Not specified Prescribed by the state government Prescribed by the state government Prescribed by the state government
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Any move to curtail trade union rights will be opposed: BMS
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat will address workers affiliated to the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) on Wednesday (July 23, 2025) during the concluding ceremony of the 70th anniversary of the Sangh Parivar-led trade union. Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Monday (July 21, 2025) about the event, BMS president Hiranmay Pandya said his organisation was open to work with other trade unions too on the issue of trade union rights in the country. He said that the BMS stood for workers' rights since its formation in 1955. When asked about the opposition to four Labour Codes, Mr. Pandya said the BMS welcomed the Code on Wages and the Code on Social Security. He said the two Codes paved the way for minimum wages and social security for every worker. 'Why should someone oppose it?' he asked. He, however, said the BMS had suggested amendments to the Code of Industrial Relations and the Code on Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions. When asked about the apprehensions of other 10 central trade unions that the Code on Industrial Relations could curtail trade union rights, Mr. Pandya said the BMS would oppose any such move and added that the union was at the forefront of protests against the present BJP-led regime too. The four Codes, passed in Parliament in 2019 and 2020 in the second term of the Narendra Modi government, have been opposed by various Central Trade Unions. He said the BMS had earlier worked with other unions and was still ready to cooperate with them. 'It is for them to decide if they want to work for the workers' interests rather than function based on political motives,' he said. On privatisation, he said the BMS was of the view that industries in strategic sectors should not be privatised.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bharat Bandh: No impact on industrial production in Mysuru
The nation-wide general strike called by the Join Committee of Trade Unions (JCTU) on July 9 had limited impact on normal life in the city and the industrial area in Mysuru. Bharat Bandh live updates - July 09, 2025 The objective of the strike was to draw attention to the 'anti-worker' policies of the State and the Central Government. One of the key demands put forward by the trade unions was abrogation of the four labour codes formulated by the Centre. The 4 Labour Codes Code on Wages, 2019 Industrial Relations Code, 2020 Code on Social Security, 2020 Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 The codes have been opposed by trade unions on the ground that they are inimical to their collective interest. The trade unions have argued that the existing labour laws evolved out of decades of struggle while the labour codes formulated by the Centre have left the workers with no safeguards in addition to curtailing their bargaining powers. In Mysuru, leaders of various trade unions and scores of activists from AIUTUC, CITU, and AIKMS, marched along the main thoroughfares of the city raising slogans against the government in Karnataka and at the Centre. Jagadish Surya of CPI (M) said the objective of the strike was to send a strong message to the government and to States where the trade union organisations are powerful, and the impact has been strong. Both the Centre and the State came under flak for weakening workers' rights under the guise of 'ease of doing business'. The agitating trade union organisations sought minimum wages at the rate of ₹36,000 per month, an end to outsourcing labour, hiring workers on contract basis, as trainees and apprentices. The government was urged to sanction pension at the rate of ₹9,000 per month for people employed in the unorganized sector as they had no job or social security. A few of the demands relate to farmers and agriculture. Trade unions want the government of Karnataka to rescind amendments to various laws that had a bearing on agriculture and farming, such as Electricity Amendment Bill, 2022, which, the workers argue, is an attempt to pave the way for privatisation of the power sector. The government was urged to comply with other demands of farmers, including minimum support price for agricultural produce based on the formula — comprehensive cost of production + 50% — proposed by M.S. Swaminathan Commission, withdrawal of amendments to a few laws, which have a bearing on agriculture, such as the Land Reforms Amendment Act, and APMC Amendment Act, by the government of Karnataka. Lingaraju, president, Mysuru Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said the general strike did not have any impact on industrial production, as only the leaders and office-bearers took part.
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Local laws changed in line with labour codes: Mandaviya
Most states have changed local laws in line with the four stalled labour codes, including nine most-contested reforms being opposed by trade unions, Union labour minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday, a day ahead of a national strike called by workers. States that have tweaked local laws, aligning them with the federal codes, include both National Democratic Alliance-ruled states and those governed by Opposition parties, Mandaviya said. (ANI PHOTO) Although the Centre has yet to implement the four codes, or laws, passed by Parliament between 2019 and 2020, 31 states have passed or amended legislation and rules to incorporate the main reforms envisaged in the codes, the minister said. The minister however declined to say when the Centre would be in a position to implement the codes. 'We have not yet implemented the labour codes, but states have.' States that have tweaked local laws, aligning them with the federal codes, include both National Democratic Alliance-ruled states and those governed by Opposition parties, Mandaviya said. The government is ready to talk to labour unions, he said, adding that 'their opposition was mostly political.' Labour unions have continued to oppose the reforms, saying they were not looking to meet the government 'just to have tea'. A coalition of 10 national unions have called for a general strike on July 9 in sectors, such as banking, insurance and mining. Their demands include a rollback of 'anti-labour provisions' in the codes. 'About 250 million workers are expected to take part in the strike, including farmers and rural workers,' Amarjeet Kaur of the All-India Trade Union Congress said. The Centre's codes are aimed at boosting investment and making it easier for firms to hire and fire workers, which has been cited as a key constraint in industrial expansion. They also lay down social-security benefits and higher overtime limits. These are the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020; the Code on Social Security, 2020; the Industrial Relations Code, 2020; and the Code on Wages, 2019. Opposition-ruled Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have raised the threshold of employees at which firms will not require government permission to lay off workers, details from the labour ministry showed. Under the Centre's codes, firms employing up to 300 workers will not require government permission to fire staffers or shut plants, up from the previous cap of 100. These states, along with Karnataka and Telangana, have also amended laws related to compounding of offences. Compounding under the central codes allows employers to settle certain violations by paying a fee, rather than facing prosecution. Kerala and West Bengal however have not eased this regulation. Most states have tweaked rules to allow night shifts for women, while those with the ruling NDA-led governments have aligned most of their laws with the Centre's codes. These include employee threshold for retrenchment and those that apply to how a factory is defined.
