NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF LABOUR MINISTERS

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

• Prime Minister, Narendra Modi recently addressed the National Conference of Labour Ministers of all States and Union Territories via video conferencing.

The Conference

• The two-day conference has been organized by the Union Ministry of Labour and Employment on August 25-26 at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
• The conference has been convened in the spirit of cooperative federalism to discuss various significant labour-related issues.
• It will help create further synergy amongst the Centre and state governments in formulating better policies and ensuring effective implementation of schemes for the welfare of workers.

Highlights of the Conference

• PM Modi said that flexible workplaces, a work-from-home ecosystem and flexible work hours are the need of the future.
• He said India's labour force has a huge role to play in realizing India's dreams and aspirations to build a developed nation in the Amrit Kaal, and with this thinking, the country is working continuously for crores of workers from the organised and unorganised sector.
• The Prime Minister reiterated the various efforts by the Government like Pradhan Mantri Shram-Yogi Maandhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana that have given a kind of security cover to the workers. These schemes have assured the labourers of the recognition of their hard work and contribution.
• The Emergency Credit Guarantee Scheme, according to a study, saved 1.5 crore jobs during the pandemic.
• The Prime Minister said that today India has once again become the fastest growing economy in the world, so a lot of credit goes to the workers.
• The Prime Minister pointed out that the e-Shram portal is one of the key initiatives to bring the labour force into the ambit of social security. In just one year, about 28 crore workers from 400 areas have been registered on the portal. This has especially benefited construction workers, migrant labourers, and domestic workers. He requested all the ministers to integrate state portals with the e-Shram portal.
• 29 labour laws have been converted into 4 simple labour codes. This will ensure the empowerment of workers via minimum wages, job security, social security, and health security.
• PM emphasized the need to take full advantage of the fourth industrial revolution by taking quick decisions and implementing them rapidly.
• In the light of platform and gig economy and online facilities, the Prime Minister stressed that right policies and efforts in this area will help in making India a global leader.
• The Prime Minister highlighted that the country's Labour Ministry is preparing its vision for the year 2047 in Amrit Kaal.
• He said by making the right use of women power, India can achieve its goals faster. Prime Minister also emphasized the need to think in the direction of what can be done for women in the newly emerging sectors in the country.
• Remarking on the demographic dividend of India, the Prime Minister said that India's success in the 21st century will depend on how well it is used.
• India needs to take advantage of global opportunities by creating a high-quality skilled workforce.
• PM urged everybody to pay attention to how ESIC together with the Ayushman Bharat scheme can benefit more and more work.

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/flexible-workplaces-and-work-hours-wfh-ecosystem-need-of-future-pm-modi20220825235925/