New Delhi, 16 October 2014: The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, today made a strong pitch for understanding and appreciating labour issues through the perspective of the labourers, so that they could be understood and resolved with compassion. In his remarks after launching five new initiatives at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Karyakram in New Delhi, the Prime Minister said that such a compassionate approach would result in the “Shram Yogi” (labourer) becoming a “Rashtra Yogi,” and hence, a “Rashtra Nirmaata” (nation-builder).
The Prime Minister said that in the nation`s development, the phrase “Shramev Jayate” had as much significance as”Satyamev Jayate.” Narendra Modi said the Government must trust its citizens, and a big step had been taken in this direction by allowing self-certification of documents. He said the various initiatives being launched today as part of the Shramev Jayate Karyakram were also a step in this direction.
The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Labour and Employment in launching a series of schemes simultaneously, which took into account the interests of workers, as well as the employers. He said the Shram Suvidha Portal has simplified compliance of 16 labour laws, through a single online form. He said the transparent Labour Inspection Scheme for random selection of units for inspection, would end undue harassment of the “Inspector Raj,” while ensuring better compliance.
The Prime Minister expressed his concern that as much as Rs. 27,000 crore was lying unclaimed with the Employees Provident Fund Organization. He said this money belonged to poor workers of India, and the portability provided for Employees Provident Fund through the Universal Account Number would put an end to such money being locked up and not reaching the intended beneficiary.
The Prime Minister said the initiative of appointing National Brand Ambassadors of Vocational Training would instill pride and confidence in ITI students. The Prime Minister also honoured selected brand ambassadors. The Apprentice Protsahan Yojana and the Effective Implementation of revamped Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) for labour in the unorganized sector were also launched today.
The Prime Minister said the “Shramev Jayate” initiatives were an essential element of the “Make in India” vision, as they would pave the way for skill development of youth in a big way, and even create an opportunity for India to meet the global requirement of skilled labour workforce in the years ahead.
Narendra Singh Tomar termed these initiatives as bold steps in achieving Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governance’, emphasizing that all actions of the Ministry are geared to bring about greater transparency and speed in the system. Tomar informed that three bills had already been introduced in the Parliament with the vision to harness India’s demographic dividend, and facilitate ease of doing business in the country. “It is envisaged that the Apprentice Act, upon implementation, will increase the number of apprentices to over 23 lakhs,” he said.
Tomar expressed that the momentum of bringing reforms in the labour sector will be sustained and archaic laws will be done away with. In the forthcoming winter session of the Parliament, he said that the Ministry plans to bring amendments to introduce a single act for MSMEs and for abolishing child labour in the country.
The programme was attended by Union Ministers Narendra Singh Tomar, Kalraj Mishra, Anant Geete, and Dr. Harshvardhan, and the Union MoS Labour Vishnudeo Sai.
