Key Government Schemes Supporting Skilled and Unskilled Migrant Workers

The Ministry of Labour and Employment issued a press release on December 2^nd 2024, regarding Schemes for Skilled and Unskilled Migrant Labourers. 

Migrant workers are an essential part of India’s workforce, yet they often face challenges in accessing welfare and social security benefits. To address these issues, the Government of India has implemented several schemes to provide financial security and improve the overall well-being of migrant workers, both skilled and unskilled.

Here are the key schemes and initiatives designed to help them:

1. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

This life insurance scheme offers Rs. 2 lakh to the family of a migrant worker in the event of their death. It’s designed to provide financial protection in times of loss.

2. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

This accident insurance scheme offers Rs. 2 lakh in case of accidental death or permanent disability, and Rs. 1 lakh for partial disability. It’s particularly beneficial for migrant workers in high-risk occupations.

3. PM SVANidhi Scheme

The PM SVANidhi scheme provides street vendors, including migrant workers, with microloans up to Rs. 10,000 to help them restart or expand their businesses. This promotes financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

4. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)

The PMAY scheme provides affordable housing for migrant workers, ensuring that they have access to safe and decent housing in both rural and urban areas.

5. Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)

This health insurance scheme offers free medical treatment to migrant workers, covering hospitalization and surgeries, ensuring they have access to quality healthcare without financial strain.

6. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM)

The PM-SYM pension scheme is available to workers aged 18-40, providing a monthly pension of Rs. 3000 once they turn 60. This scheme ensures financial security after retirement for unorganised workers, including migrants.

eShram Portal: A One-Stop Solution

Launched in August 2021, the eShram Portal is a key initiative to create a national database of unorganised workers, including migrant workers. The eShram One-Stop-Solution, introduced in October 2024, integrates 12 social security schemes, allowing workers to access and track the benefits they are entitled to, all in one place. These include:

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP), including schemes like Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension and National Family Benefit Scheme
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)

Labour Codes: New Legal Provisions for Worker Welfare

To enhance the welfare and safety of workers, the government has introduced four Labour Codes:

1. Code on Wages (2019): Ensures minimum wage and timely electronic payments to workers.
2. Industrial Relations Code (2020): Promotes transparency in hiring and resolves disputes effectively.
3. Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code (2020): Mandates safety standards and free annual health check-ups for workers.
4. Social Security Code (2020): Provides a Social Security Fund for unorganised workers and portability of benefits for migrant workers across states.

Key Provisions in the Labour Codes Include:

• Minimum Wage: Ensures no state can set wages below the floor wage.
• Gender Equality: Promotes equal pay and non-discriminatory hiring practices.
• Maternity Benefits: 26 weeks of paid leave for women workers, with options for work-from-home post-maternity leave.
• Crèche Facilities: Mandatory for establishments with 50 or more workers.

Conclusion

The government has launched several initiatives to uplift migrant workers, providing them with access to critical social security and welfare schemes. Through programs like eShram, PM-SYM, PMSVANidhi, and the Labour Codes, migrant workers can now access healthcare, pensions, housing, and financial support. These efforts aim to ensure that migrant workers are not only protected but also empowered, improving their quality of life and future prospects.