AMN
Parliament has passed the Payment of Wages Amendment Bill 2017 with the Rajya Sabha approving it today as the Lok Sabha had passed it yesterday. The proposed law will benefit workers by ensuring fair payment of wages through bank accounts, enhance social security and bring more workers into formal employment.
Replying to the debate over the Bill, Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya reiterated that the government is committed for the welfare of the workers and the Bill is aimed at further strengthening their rights. He said U-WIN cards will be issued soon to all workers in the organised and unorganised sectors.
The cards will have portability, Identity and provide social security to the workers. Stating that the Government has taken several initiatives for the welfare of the workers, the minister said the proposed act will improve compliance of labour laws and payment of enhanced minimum wages in the bank accounts.
He also said over 48 lakh new bank accounts were opened for workers post demonetisation. Underlining the need for keeping in place a proper enforcement mechanism for labour laws, the Minister sought help from the state governments in this regard.
Stating that the Welfare Fund of Construction Workers collected through cess accumulated to over 26000 crore rupees so far, he said the government is making efforts to spend the fund for their welfare measures.