Unskilled workers get Rs. 416 hike in wages

Delhi Government on Wednesday revised minimum wages of unskilled workers from Rs. 8,632 to Rs. 9,048 per month.

Delhi Labour Minister Gopal Rai further said that the Government was contributing for the welfare of workers in the unorganised sector by ensuring pension benefits under the National Pension Scheme. This scheme was called the ‘Dilli Swavalamban Yojana’.

As a contribution from the Delhi Government, the first instalment of Rs. 56 lakh had been handed over to the representatives of the PFRDA. This, the Government said in a statement, would give social security to domestic workers, auto and taxi drivers, anganwadi workers and helpers, BPL families, rickshaw pullers, hawkers, rag pickers, mid-day meal workers in addition to others.

Mr. Rai said that a ‘Jan Sunwai’ would be organised on April 24 to hear the grievances of contractual labourers to ensure guarantee of minimum wages. Details of licensed agencies were currently being collected by the government so as to monitor their performance and ensure benefits to the contractual labourers.

The Department of Labour, Mr. Rai said, would organise camps for the registration of construction labourers from April 20 onwards at all Labour Chowks in Delhi. After registration, construction labourers will get various benefits from the Construction Workers Welfare Fund available with the Board.

Unorganised workers in the age group of 18 to 60 years were eligible for the said scheme. An eligible beneficiary contributes a minimum of Rs.1,000 per annum subject to a maximum of Rs. 12,000 per annum which can be paid in instalments.

The Central Government also contributes Rs.1,000 per beneficiary per annum for four years while the Delhi Government contributes Rs.1,000 per beneficiary per annum for 25 years.

Government was contributing for their welfare by ensuring pension benefits under the National Pension Scheme