Bill on social security for unorganized workers passed

The Parliament passed the Unorganized Workers’ Social Security Bill, 2008, which seeks to provide welfare measures for the unorganized workers. Minister for Labour and Employment Oscar Fernandes said it was a millennium scheme that would cover 34 crore (i.e. 340 million) workers in the next five years. Agricultural workers and migrant laboureres will also be covered under it. He said 94 per cent of the working class in the country emloyed in the unorganized sector would get the benefit of health, life and disability insurance, old-age pension and the group accident scheme.