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The Covid-19 impact on Social security for migrant workers in India.

Courtesy/By: Sarah Wilson | 2020-11-08 14:20     Views : 280

COVID-19, the global pandemic, recently was the reason for the unprecedented Interstate Migrant workers exodus, which resulted in many migrant workers losing their jobs, houses, and families out of starvation and unemployment. Our country failed our migrant workforce to an extent where they were left on the road, barefoot, to travel back to their source states, without transport or food to sustain upon. However, India does have a few Labour legislation, that has proved to be remedial for the migrant workforce and has helped in rescuing them in these situations. Labour laws define the rights and obligations of workers, union members, and employers in the workplace. The labor laws cover,
1. industrial relations
2. workplace health and safety
3. employment standards.

significance of Labour Laws and social security for the Migrant workforce in India.
For most people employment provides the principal source of income and wealth. the legal institutions that constitute and govern the relations of production between workers and their employers provide one of the cornerstones of market economies. from a social perspective, work not only occupies a large proportion of most people's days but also provides one of the principal sites where we can construct social relationships and seek meaning for our lives. the consequence of unemployment is often described as 'social exclusion' which means both that the ensuing poverty prevents individuals from enjoying the benefits of society and that the unemployed are likely to experience less productivity and meaningful lives. Estimates vary but there are over 200 state laws and close to 50 central laws, and yet there is no set definition of "labor laws" in the country, however, Indian labor laws are often termed as "inflexible" and insufficient, more so when it comes to migrant workers, who belong to both organized and unorganized sector. Out of 440 million workers, 93%of the workers are n the unorganized sector, the contribution made by the unorganized sector to the national income is very substantial as compared to that of the organized sector, under this category of the unorganized sector, a few of the significant laws that are applicable are,  the interstate migrant workers act 1979, Bonded labor system abolition Act (1976), the contract labor Act (1970) and the unorganized worker's social security Act (2008).

The Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act 2008 was enacted to provide social security and welfare to the unorganized sector. The act got the President assent on 30 December 2008. This act is crucial for India as it is the first time the term unorganized workers is defined thereby identifying them in the eyes of law. The Act enlists various welfare schemes under which workers can get some protection and allow for registration of unorganized workers and it empowers Governments at Central and State levels for framing the rules. The prime objective behind the Act was to provide social security and welfare of the unorganized workers and all matters that are in connection with it. It defines an unorganized worker as –self- employed worker, home-based worker, or a wage worker in the unorganized sector and also includes a worker in the organized sector who is not covered by any of the acts mentioned in Schedule II to this Act.

 

 

This Article Does Not Intend To Hurt The Sentiments Of Any Individual Community, Sect, Or Religion Etcetera. This Article Is Based Purely On The Authors Personal Views And Opinions In The Exercise Of The Fundamental Right Guaranteed Under Article 19(1)(A) And Other Related Laws Being Force In India, For The Time Being. 

Courtesy/By: Sarah Wilson | 2020-11-08 14:20