Union
Minister of State (i/c) for Labour and Employment Santosh Gangwar
has reiterated India's commitment towards making all possible efforts
to counter the impact of the pandemic, and emerge stronger. Addressing
the virtual Non-Aligned Movement Labour Ministers Meeting under
109th Session of the ILC here last evening, Gangwar said, the
world has witnessed loss of lives and livelihood, slowdown of economies,
adverse impact on the entire sections of the society and especially,
the weaker ones more unsafe. He said, there is need to ensure better
support to the health-care systems, social protection and employment
generation. Governments are required to deal with the pandemic and
provide an effective response at policy levels, to balance business
continuity, income security and above everything, well-being of all, he
added.
The Minister informed that India has undertaken a massive vaccination drive, and a total of 223 Million vaccines have been administered so far. He said, there have been extra-ordinary changes in
the lives and livelihoods and new approach should be developed for the
style of the work. Use of digital platforms has posed challenges but
also provided more opportunities. He added that India has made legal
framework for social security of Gig and Platform workers also.
Gangwar said, employment being an important aspect, India is putting
key efforts through various schemes and programmes to provide
employment and support on health and financial fronts also. India has
launched Aatmnirbhar Bharat package for self- reliance worth Rs. 27
Thousand Billion to strengthen the economy, which also
include payment of EPF contributions upto 24% of wages by the
Government, in respect of eligible new employees. Further, collateral
free loans worth Rs. Nine Thousand Billion have been disbursed under
MUDRA Yojana in last three years, having around 70% accounts of women.
The
Minister added that increase in daily wages, under Mahatma Gandhi
NAREGA scheme for rural India, has resulted in employment generation of
3.9 billion man days during last financial year alone.