The Code on Social Security, 2019: Highlights 

The Code on Social Security, 2019 was introduced by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Santosh Kumar Gangwar in the Lok Sabha in December 2019. The Code intends to reform and introduce schemes for the social security of the workers. The term “social security” refers to the means or system of ensuring the safety of the individuals. The Code states that “Central Government shall formulate and notify, from time to time, suitable welfare schemes for unorganised workers on matter relating to life and disability cover; health and maternity benefits; old age protection; and any other benefit as may be determined by the central government". Further, the code allows the states to introduce such schemes as well.

It also discusses the establishment of a fund that will be set up using the collection available under the Corporate Social Responsibility. The same will be used for providing social security to the workers in the form of pension, medical benefits etc. The Code also states the establishment of certain bodies for the administration of the provisions namely Central Board of Trustees, Employees States Insurance Corporation, national and state-level social security boards. The Code also discusses the maternity benefits. It states that every woman shall be entitled to the payment of her maternity benefits at the rate of her daily income for the period of her absence. The Code also specifies certain penalties if any employee fails to make the payment for the contributions specified under the Code or in case of falsification of reports, punishable. The Code shall merge certain other laws for social security like Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, Building and other Construction Workers Cess Act, 1996 etc.