The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Karyakram was launched in October 2014 by PM Narendra Modi along with Shram Suvidha portal, Shram Vigyan program and uniform account scheme under the Government of India. The main objective of this scheme is to improve labour laws and the labour process. On this occasion, the Prime Minister also started the 'Shram Suvidha' portal for employees and a new 'Labor Inspection Scheme'. More on PIB.

 

History

The complexities of labour standards and the difficulties of complying with them have been long regarded as a hindrance to industrial advancement. The World Bank's annual report for 2014 indicated that Indian states with flexible labour laws and simple compliance procedures outperformed those with tight labour rules and complex compliance in terms of industrial growth. Compliance simplicity has also been proven essential for the organised sector's growth. The Ministries of Labour and Employment, as well as Commerce and Industry, are working together to realize the "Make in India" goal.

 

Need for the scheme

There was a long-standing need for such a scheme to provide transparency and accountability in inspections. The complex filing system for reporting compliances needed to be harmonized in a single form. Evaluation and monitoring of performance and promoting the usage of Labour Identification Number by all agencies. Further, it was imperative to boost industry workers' confidence and crucial skills, making them aware of the governing labour laws in their particular industry and, most importantly, develop a skilled labour industry.

 

Shramev Jayate Yojana - Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Programme

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The objective of the unified web portal is to consolidate information on Labour Inspection and its enforcement, leading to transparency and accountability in inspections. The compliances would be reportable in Single Harmonized Form, making it simple and easy for those filing such forms. The performance will be monitored using key indicators, thus making the evaluation process objective. The portal also has an effective grievance redressal System. It promotes using a standard Labour Identification Number (LIN) by all implementing agencies.

It is a multi-point program which includes the Shram Suvidha Portal, Labour Inspection Scheme, Universal Account Number, Apprentice Protsahan Yojana, and Revamped Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana. Presently 38,46,412 LIN have been generated, and 7,24,329 Inspection Reports have been submitted through the Shram Suvidha Portal.

• Shram Suvidha Portal: The Shram Suvidha Portal was created to give about 6 lakh units with the Labour Identification Number (LIN), allowing them to submit online compliance reports for 16 of the 44 labour Laws. The other goal is to render the filing system straightforward by reporting compliances in a single standardized form. This allows the labour inspector to post the inspection report within 72 hours. It finally leads to the quick resolution of disputes.
• Labour Inspection Scheme: The Labour Inspection Scheme aims to increase openness in labour inspection. A transparent inspection method is used to examine the arbitrary character of the compliance procedure. On behalf of the Prime Minister, an SMS and email were issued to 1800 Labor inspectors of various enforcement agencies right after the inauguration of this scheme.
• Launching of the Universal Account Number: The number is assigned to all labourers. The UAN is linked to the Aadhaar Card, Bank account, and other KYC credentials for its exceptional differentiating proof. The UAN has around 4.17 crore endorsers on file. The social security benefits are portable through the UAN to the labour of the organised sector across jobs and geographic areas. The EPF account of employees is updated regularly, and they will have direct access to it, enabling them to consolidate their previous accounts.
• Revamped Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana: 93% of the workforce is in the unorganized sector; RSBY is revamped to enhance quality and access to service. Its goal is to improve the social security of the unorganized sector's working class and converge with other social security schemes, namely Aam Admi Bima Yojana and National Old Age Pension Scheme. The adoption of a Smart Card for workers in the unorganized sector. Unorganised workers will also be supplied with health insurance, enhancing their working circumstances. There will also be wellness checks for preventive care covering construction workers and beneficiaries across different welfare cess.
• Apprentice Protsahan Yojana: The aim is to bring more establishments and youth into manufacturing and related sectors. The vision is to have more than 20 lakh apprentices in a few years against 2.9 lakh. This was done to make use of the advantages of the apprenticeship training scheme. The Yojana aimed to support approximately 1 lakh apprentices up to March 2017. Further, another objective was to simplify the understanding of the legal framework. The Apprentices Act 1961 was amended in 2014.

The scheme also recognizes prior learning whereby the construction sites are designated testing centres. If there are skill gaps, training will be provided for 15 days. Further wage compensation for attending such training and assessment and NCVT certification will be given. Vocational Rehabilitation Centres for the Handicapped will be made across the country, creating efforts to widen and deepen the industry association of VRCs.

 

Pros

• Boosting skilled industry with skilled labour
• Pave the way for "make in India" by encouraging work in the manufacturing sector.
• Invitation to foreign companies to access the skilled labour for their industries and begin manufacturing process in India.
• Increase transparency in regulating labour laws and inspection.
• This will lead to the digitization of the database, creating easy access in future.
• Strengthening the grievance redressal system.

 

Cons

• Only some workers are skilled in accessing the online portal for creating a LIN and filing grievances.
• There needs to be more awareness about the scheme among the masses.
• There are no specific inspection criteria.
• Does not provide training to illiterate labour so that they could learn how to use the portal.

 

Effect on the Indian Economy

The scheme provides an opportunity for economic improvement since increased skilled labour would lead to an increased employment rate. Foreign industries can access skilled workers and establish manufacturing businesses in India, increasing employment and business opportunities for other sectors.

 

Conclusion

The scheme brought transparency and is simple to understand for the unorganized labour sector. It opens the gates for good governance and creates cost-effectiveness. The Government should focus on continuous awareness programs about the scheme so people can access the Shram Suvidha Portal. The Government should also designate ambassadors from reputed fields to educate people and promote skill development. When the labour force will improve, the industries would automatically develop

The scheme concentrates on labour issues from the perspective of workers, not through the views of industrialists. The whole programme is built on the premise that workers' rights and privileges should be preserved and allowed to reap the advantages of numerous programs. As a result, the programme seeks to maximize the potential of all sectors, including labour, industry, and information and technology.