Indian Labour Conference pushes for Right to Work and Minimum Rs.1000 Pension per month

The 45th Indian Labour Conference which ended today had recommended the government to enact a legislation on 'Right to Work', similar to Right to Education and Right to Information. The conference also pressed for a minimum assured pension of Rs 1000 per month to the entire working class and universal social security coverage.

The ILC session of the apex trade unions and employer's organisation was attended by many officials including the state labour ministers and representatives from both employer and employee side.

In India almost 27 percent of pensioners get a monthly pension of less than Rs 500 at present and about 56 percent get pension from Rs 500 to Rs 1000 a month. Hence the Minister of State for Labour and Employment Kodikunni Suresh requested the government to bear the burden of the funds required for this because neither the employers nor the employees are willing to bear this cost.

Here are some Key Highlights of the Indian Labour Conference (ILC):

• Suggested the creation of a national social security fund and a minimum pension of Rs 1000 per month, meanwhile extending the pension benefit for the entire working population of the country.

• The pension benefits should also be responsive to price rise.

• Enacting legislations for right to work and pension similar to the right to information and right to education.

• Recommended minimum wages for workers employed in central government schemes such as Anganwadi, Mid Day Meal and Asha and recognising them as "workers" instead of voluntary workers.

• The conference recommended that the anganwadi, mid day meal, Asha and those engaged under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan schemes should get pension, gratuity and maternity benefits and aam aadmi bima yojana and rashtriya swasthiya bima yojana should be extended to them.