Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs Meeting with Platform Workers’ Associations to Discuss Social Security Measures
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs Meeting with Platform Workers’ Associations to Discuss Social Security Measures
Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a significant meeting with representatives from Platform Workers’ Associations in New Delhi today. Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Secretary, Labour & Employment along with senior officers of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.
The discussion was centred on addressing the pressing challenges faced by platform workers and the Government’s ongoing efforts to extend essential social security protections to this emerging workforce.
Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the importance of incorporating inputs directly from the Platform Workers’ associations to develop robust and comprehensive mechanisms for their social security. Acknowledging the commendable work done by various associations in advocating for the wellbeing of platform workers, Union Minister pointed out that the Government is proactively seeking multiple avenues to integrate these workers into existing social security schemes.
Union Minister reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to establish a safety net for platform workers, who are a vital part of the economy through their contributions to the digital platform sector. He announced that a Committee has been formed by the Ministry to develop a ‘Framework for providing social security and welfare benefits to gig & platform workers,’ aiming to gather perspectives from all relevant stakeholders.
Talking about the e-Shram portal, Dr. Mandaviya discussed the Ministry’s steps to ensure the onboarding of platform workers onto the portal. He mentioned the advisory issued to Platform Aggregators to register on the e-Shram portal and disclosed that the testing phase with major aggregators has been completed, and aggregator module is set to be launched by the Ministry shortly.
The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Ms. Shobha Karandlaje emphasised on the need of registering all platform workers on e-Shram portal to ensure social security benefits to them.
Platform Workers’ Associations representing workers across India, viz. Rajasthan, Assam, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Delhi-NCR attended the meeting, in person as well as virtually. The associations provided their valuable inputs and suggestions for ensuring social security coverage for the platform workers. The discussions in the meeting are expected to pave the way for policy formulations that will safeguard the interests of platform workers, providing them with stability and support in their professional endeavours.
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