M A I N   N E W S

Workers Bill for group of ministers
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 23
The Union Cabinet tonight decided to refer the Unorganised Sector Workers Bill, 2003, to a group of ministers for taking a suitable decision on extending old-age pension, medical allowance and unemployment allowance to an estimated 37 crore workers in the unorganised sector.

Sources said the Cabinet deferred a decision on the ambitious social security scheme, which had been recommended by the Second Labour Commission. The commission submitted its report to the government last year.

The Second Labour Commission had suggested enactment of a separate legislation for the unorganised sector in view of the hardships faced by workers in that sector, who did not enjoy any form of social security.

The sources said the Cabinet, however, okayed the roadmap drawn up by the Planning Commission to spur economic reforms in the current fiscal.

The comprehensive policy agenda included practically all ministries and departments including Civil Aviation, Power, Petroleum, Telecom, Labour, Exports and Information Technology.